Category: E-Blasts

Quantitative data is often difficult to obtain from South Sudan, the newest nation in the world..  On many charts, South Sudanese statistics might still be co-mingled with Sudanese figures; and on world maps, South Sudanese territory might be grayed out with an asterisk indicating that data is unreliable or not available.  Yet in a country like South Sudan suffering the extreme impact of conflict, corruption, climate change, and poverty, a few simple numbers help to paint the picture for U.S. and other international decision-makers. 

Here are some numbers I drew from during my time as the U.S. ambassador to Juba:

• 99% – The percentage of South Sudanese who voted for independence in the 2011 national referendum. 
• 193^rd – South Sudan became the 193^rd member state of the United Nations in 2011.
• Zero – The number of national elections held in South Sudan since attaining independence in 2011.
• 2 – The number of years of peace before newly independent South Sudan lapsed into civil war.
• 5 – The number of vice-presidents following the 2018 peace agreement. (Despite the inclusive design of that agreement, most observers predict the agreement is poised to fall apart in the near future.)
• 44^th – South Sudan is the 44^th largest country in the world by area (slightly smaller than Texas).  Its population is approximately 13 million.
• 15% — A vast swamp formed by the White Nile – the Sudd – covers approximately 15% of South Sudan’s territory.  South Sudan is the 2^nd most vulnerable country to extreme climate events.
• 64 – The number of different tribal groups and languages in South Sudan.
• 1^st – South Sudan has the fastest population growth rate in the world (4.65%); people aged 0-14 years comprise 42% of the population.
• 1^st —South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world (1,223 deaths/100,000 live births).
• 400,000 – The approximate number of excess deaths caused by the South Sudan civil war from 2013-18, as determined by a ground-breaking U.S.Government-funded study conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
• 150,000 – 200,000 – The estimated number of active Defense Forces (2025) in South Sudan; the United Nations Mission in South Sudan had about 15,000 personnel deployed in the country as of 2024.
• 2,800,000 — UNICEF estimates that 2.8 million school-age children (70%) are NOT enrolled in schools.  The South Sudanese government ranks 191^st of 193 in terms of government expenditures on education – just 1.5% of GDP in a 2016 estimate.  Literacy rate is 34.5%.
• 7,700,000  – The number of South Sudanese facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) in need of urgent action.
• 1^st – South Sudan has long been considered the most dangerous country for humanitarian workers (Gaza is in the running in recent years as well) per the Aid Worker Security Report. It is also one of the most expensive places to deliver aid because of geography and conflict conditions.
• 1^st — South Sudan’s refugee crisis remains the largest in Africa, with over 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees hosted in neighboring countries.  In turn, South Sudan hosts some 330,000 refugees and asylum-seekers (mainly from Sudan) and has 2 million internally displaced persons due to conflict, insecurity and the impact of climate change. In addition, over 500,000 South Sudanese refugees have returned to the country since the signing of the 2018 Peace Agreement.
• 193 of 193 – South Sudan’s ranking in UNDP’s composite Human Development Index.

Numbers alone can’t fully describe the dire situation in South Sudan.  Direct engagement and thoughtful analysis are also critical, in addition to actual data, as the U.S. Administration makes consequential decisions about its relationship to the South Sudanese government and the provision of needed humanitarian and development assistance benefitting the South Sudanese people. 

Tom Hushek was the United States Ambassador to South Sudan, 2018-2020. He is a member of the Board of AFRECS.

After three years of growth, the Rev. Abraham Dot Pareng Kok, Vicar, reports Pentecost Sunday attendance of 107 at Church of the Holy Apostles, Sioux Falls, in the Diocese of North Dakota. (abrahamdot19@gmail.com)

In West Houston, Texas, on Easter Sunday at 2:30 p.m., the Rev. Agook Kuol led worship for the South Sudanese congregation of St. Philip the Evangelist in Ascension Episcopal Church, 2525 Seagler Rd, where the rector is the Rev. Mark W. Mcdonald. (agookkuol@gmail.com)

The Rev. Mary Bol serves the Diocese of Olympia as missioner for Pan-African Ministries. She leads St. Michael’s South Sudanese Episcopal Church in Seattle, where 40 to 60 people attend on Sundays and the Dinka language is taught. She expects to start English as a Second Language classes soon. (Mbol@ecww.org. 206.325.4200 ext.3805)

Grace Sudanese Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan (Rev. Zachariah Jok Char, Rector; John Garang Anyieth, Senior Warden) announces that two members, the Rev. Abraham Muong Anei and John Khot Atem, have completed studies at the Academy for Vocational Leadership, a 3-year program leading to the diaconate or the priesthood. Graduation exercises were scheduled for June 22 at 3 p.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 1519 Elmwood Road, in Lansing. 

The South Sudanese Community in the Washington DC area is organizing a conference for peace, unity, and reconciliation to be held at Cornerstone Free Evangelical Church, Annandale, Virginia September 27-28. (Contact President Lina Ajack, Linaaj2017@gmail.com)

 As summer arrives in North America and the various South Sudanese diaspora communities gather, AFRECS extends best wishes to those who will greet old friends and make new ones. We ask God the Holy Spirit to give all leaders the wisdom that leads to peace. We are eager to receive reports on any of these gatherings. (E-Blast Editor: richard.j.jones@comcast.net)

Sudan: A Nation in Crisis – Examining the Global Inaction
Tuesday, July 15 at 3:00pm ET

The disaster:  150,000 deaths, 12 million displaced, 2.5 million refugees, and millions now facing starvation. Despite limited efforts in 2024 to secure a diplomatic solution, in 2025 nothing has been done to pressure both sides toward peace.

This workshop will outline the root causes behind Sudan’s descent into chaos—from a derailed democratic transition in 2021 to today’s unrelenting conflict between rival military factions. You’ll learn why diplomatic efforts have failed, how international inaction enables further violence, and what Christians and people of goodwill can and must do in response.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be present where suffering is greatest. This conversation offers a vital opportunity to bear witness, deepen your understanding, and discover meaningful ways to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan.

There is little recent news of the military conflict in Sudan since several days of Rapid Support Forces drone strikes on Port Sudan in late May, which temporarily shut down facilities relating to oil exports for South Sudan. In South Sudan, President Salva Kiir replaced Vice-President James Wani Igga as 1st Deputy Chairman and Secretary-General of the SPLM party with new Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel.  Bol Mel is viewed as a possible successor.

Five were killed when a UN food aid convoy was attacked en route to North Darfur. At the end of May Gen. Burhan appointed Kamil al-Taib, a former Director-General of the World Intellectual Organization, as civilian prime minister, the first since Abdalla Hamdok’s resignation in 2023. Hamdok justifiably dismissed the appointment as “fake news.”

Bol Mel, 47, is a businessman and financial advisor to Kiir. Two of his companies have been sanctioned by the US for corruption. South Sudanese military forces have been barrel-bombing communities in Upper Nile thought to be loyal to detained Vice President Riek Machar.  Thousands have fled to Ethiopia.  A cholera outbreak and continued inflation are further immiserating the population.

Despite continued crippling sanctions on bank transfers, AFRECS was recently successful in moving funds reliably to the Episcopal Church of Sudan to support food distribution by its churches, to include both Christian and Muslim populations.  AFRECS funding to the Episcopal Church of South Sudan supports a highly successful literacy, livelihood creation and trauma healing program, as well as girls’ education and the Episcopal University.

Given the dire situation in both countries, the work of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and the Episcopal Church of South Sudan remains vital and life-giving. 

USAID has been eliminated and funding to both Sudans terminated. So PLEASE CONSIDER a generous gift to AFRECS to support these vital churches!  

Photo: Gathered in Yambio on April 9 were (from left to right) the retired Primate of South Sudan Daniel Deng Bul (tallest), Yambio’s Archbishop Samuel Peni, Archbishop and Primate Justin Badi Arama (in white) and Archbishop Paul Yugusuk of Central Equatoria Internal Province (in white); women leaders including Mama Joyce Badi and Mama Aida Peni; Bishop Wilson Kamani of Ibba (leaning forward) with Abraham Nhial of Aweil Diocese; and the Governor of Western Equatoria State.

by Samuel Enosa Peni, Archbishop of Yambio Internal Province, South Sudan

Our celebrations took place April 9 to 11, marking exactly 100 years of the All Saints Cathedral building in Yambio.  Despite political uncertainty in the country, over 10,000 people attended, including Internal  Archbishops and bishops from South Sudan, as well as guests from Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. We had invited about 20,000 people, but some friends from the region, US, UK, and  other invited visitors declined, due to the uncertainty.

This three-day event saw believers from all over South Sudan coming to celebrate the goodness of the Lord.  A verse from Ephesians 2:8, “By grace we have come this far,”  guided our celebrations. We reflected on the grace of God in the 100 years All Saints Cathedral has been in  existence. We wait expectantly to see where God takes us in the next 100 years , and the impact All Saints Cathedral will have in the lives of the people of Yambio and Western Equatoria State at large.

We were privileged to have with us the Primate of South Sudan the Most Reverend Dr. Justin Badi Arama, as well as the former Primate of Sudan and South Sudan, Daniel Deng Bul.

”To God be the glory!”

Rev’d Ian Wallace & the Rev’d Pauline Walker invite friends to attend the Annual General Meeting for The Church Association for Sudan & South Sudan (CASSS).  This group shares news among the Diocese of Salisbury, the Diocese of Leeds, and voluntary societies in the United Kingdom who are committed to supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ in both Sudans.  Saturday 14th June 2025 at St Andrew’s Church, Short Street, Waterloo, London SE1 from 12 noon. Details at www.casss.org.uk

By Thomas H. Staal, Counsel, U.S. Agency for International Development (retired), Board member of AFRECS

Facts & Figures (revised March 2025):

• Population of Sudan:  about 50 million
• In urgent need of food:  25 million
• More people suffering famine or on brink of famine than all other disasters combined
• Displaced from their homes: 10+ million (8.3 Internally Displaced Persons, 2.3 Refugees – 10/2024)
• Deaths so far:  official – 26,262; probably around 600,000 (London School of Hygiene – 10/2024)
• Famine declaration (Aug. 2024):  755,000 in Zam Zam IDP camp/Darfur, probably more

Current Status:

• Fighting started in Khartoum, quickly spread to Darfur and country-wide
• RSF in the West, South; SAF in the East and North and recently the center
• Khartoum now controlled by SAF, but is badly damaged
• SAF (and what’s left of government) based in Port Sudan, on the Red Sea
• No U.S. diplomatic presence in country

Political

• 1989-2019:  Military Dictator Omar al-Bashir (Islamic)
• 2003:  Bashir establishes paramilitary force – “Janjaweed” – to pacify Darfur
• 2004-05:  famine conditions in Darfur
• 2019:   Civilian demonstrations lead to overthrow of Bashir and establishment of joint military/civilian government
• 2021:  Military coup pushes out the civilians; US, African Union,  European Union do not recognize new government
• 2023:  Two military leaders start fighting
• 2025: RSF declares an independent state in areas under their control; no country recognizes it

The Players: 

• Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), led by Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Burhan
• Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (Janjaweed’s successor), led by Gen. Mohamed (“Hemedti”) Hamdan Dagalo
• Sudan Peoples Liberation Front -North, SLM, others
• Various local/ethnic militias

Who’s supporting whom?

• SAF: Egypt, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Islamist groups
• RSF: United Arab Emirates, Mali, Niger

Complications:

• Active fighting is ongoing, neither side wants to stop
• Both sides actively inhibiting, blocking humanitarian aid
• Very limited ability for UN or NGOs to operate
• Reliable evidence of significant human rights abuses ongoing
• It’s a very big country with poor infrastructure

By Richard J. Jones

Under the banner, “SUDAN: DON’T TURN AWAY”, the public is invited on the day before Mothers’ Day to view an unsettling work, “Red-Handed”, on Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m .–  4 p.m., at Historic Christ Church, 118 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, Virginia. Information: 703-823-3186.

The goal of the installation – untimely as it may seem for the eve of Mothers’ Day — is to make new friends for the church in the Sudans.

Not all artists invite the public to walk all over their work. Rosemary Feit Covey, a wood engraver in Alexandria, Virginia,  is inviting viewers on May 10 to walk upon, and ponder, a nonspecific image of mass death. She calls it “Red-Handed”. 

Americans, including Sudanese Americans, will be present to point up connections between this abstract paint-on-vinyl work and the specific sufferings of over 13,000,000 Sudanese currently rendered homeless by the two-year civil war  — the largest refugee and homeless population in the world known to the United Nations today. 

A second-floor auditorium overlooking a Colonial churchyard will offer a zone for both conversation and silent meditation.  Water and karkade, the Sudanese tea of hospitality, will be served. Photographs of some of the trauma-healing members of the Mothers’ Union of the Episcopal Church in South Sudan and Sudan will be displayed. A banner will shout: “SUDAN: DON’T TURN AWAY.”

Imprecise news out of the State Department indicates that the regional bureaus will likely gain added power and scope.  Rumors that the Bureau of African Affairs will be closed are false. USAID will probably be folded into the State Department, but not wholesale as the U.S. Information Agency was in 1999.  Instead, the aid function will be attached to the regional bureaus.  It is highly possible  that  embassies in Africa will be closed, including  in South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Central African Republic, and Lesotho.

In late March the SAF ousted the RSF from the Khartoum-Omdurman area in central Sudan. On April 13 the Rapid Support Forces seized the Zamzam IDP camp near El Fasher in Darfur, after a four-day assault, killing an estimated 400 civilians and scattering people toward El Fasher and nearby Tawila.  On April 16 RSF leader Gen. Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) announced the creation of a parallel Sudanese government, a “government of peace and unity” to include a wide range of ethnic groups reflecting “the true face of Sudan.” The RSF began air attacks on Port Sudan May 6. The State Department denounced the slaughter at Zamzam, but otherwise the Administration has indicated little interest in the Sudan catastrophe. Our British friends report that, of the eight bishops in Sudan, three are active in their dioceses and three others are displaced but active in neighboring dioceses. Church women come together on Tuesdays to pray in all the dioceses.

In the April 20 New York Times Declan Walsh wrote:

“The children died one after the other.  Twelve acutely malnourished infants living in one corner of Sudan’s war-ravaged capital, Khartoum. Abdo, an 18-month-old boy, had been rushed to a clinic by his mother as he was dying. His ribs protruded from his withered body. The next day, a doctor laid him out on a blanket with a teddy bear motif, his eyes closed. Like the other 11 children, Abdo starved to death in the weeks after President Trump froze all U.S. foreign assistance, said local aid workers and a doctor. American-funded soup kitchens in Sudan, including the one near Abdo’s house, had been the only lifelines for tens of thousands of people besieged by fighting.”

AFRECS has transmitted some funds to Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo in Port Sudan. We suggested he seek to put Episcopalian churches in Khartoum/Omdurman in contact with the emergency soup kitchens .

The cancellation of US visas for South Sudan has not been reversed.  The South Sudan Embassy on April 15 advised its citizens:

• South Sudanese nationals residing in the United States can continue to stay legally under the terms of their current immigration status.
• However, if you depart the United States, you cannot re-enter on a revoked visa.
• Citizens under Temporary Protection Status will not have a pathway to regularize their status.

AFRECS celebrates 20 years of friendship with the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan at a reception May 9, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at 1801 F St., NW, Washington, DC, followed by an art installation May 10, 11 a.m. –  4 p.m. entitled “Red-Handed” at 118 N. Washington  St., Alexandria VA.  For details, please contact afrecs@afrecs.org.