Director’s Update
The US Government appears to be moving more actively to find a solution to the ongoing violence and humanitarian horror in Sudan. U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, has been traveling, talking to Arab and African leaders. US Permanent Representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, published a major statement March 6 in the New York Times, calling for a humanitarian surge in Sudan led by a new UN coordinator. She denounced “a handful of regional powers” (i.e. UAE and Iran) sending arms to both sides. She said, “The United States is working to persuade relevant players to coalesce around the shared goal of preventing the breakup of Sudan, which would fuel instability across the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region.” She restated a number of these points in remarks to the Security Council March 20.
The Troika – US, UK, Norway — guarantors of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that set the stage for South Sudan’s independence, stated March 19 that South Sudan was not on a path toward fair elections. President Kiir recently proposed that elections go ahead in December for President and governors but not for the legislature. Opposition leader and Vice President Riek Machar has called for “a mediated dialogue” among the political parties on the elections. Schools were closed last week because of soaring temperatures but have reopened.
AFRECS Board member Richard Jones and I greeted friends of AFRECS at the Episcopal Parish Network Conference in Houston March 7 to 9. Now my wife Judy and I are looking forward to our visit to South Sudan April 7-15.
AFRECS breathes because individuals like you care about the peacebuilding, educating, and empowering work of the Episcopal Church in the Sudans. Parishes and dioceses are also welcome supporters. Please act on your concern by contributing here or send your check payable to AFRECS, Box 3327, Alexandria VA 22302. We are a 501(c)3 corporation, and your contributions are tax-deductible.