Declaration of Comboni Missionaries

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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 22-01-2001  - Southern Sudan


Please find here below the declaration of the Comboni missionaries on the
situation of Southern Sudan.
Paolo
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Declaration of the Comboni Missionaries working in Southern Sudan


Nairobi, 19 January 2001

We, the Comboni Missionaries working in the “liberated areas” of Southern 
Sudan, gathered for our annual assembly, have painfully analysed and 
evaluated the present tragic situation of war and violence.

We have come to the unanimous conviction that the situation of war in Sudan 
at the present stage has become immoral and a tragic farce. It is not any 
longer a struggle for freedom of the Sudanese people and for the defence of 
human rights. The war has become a struggle for power, business and greed. 
Many heartless people are taking advantage of it and enrich themselves at 
the expense of the poor. Global interests have the Sudanese resources at 
heart, not the wellbeing of the Sudanese people. Religion is distorted and 
misused as a means for other interests.

The number of victims is escalating, especially among women and children. 
Spiritual, human and cultural values are getting lost. Corruption, 
tribalism and fratricidal hatred are fostered. Degradation, 
underdevelopment and anarchy increase. Humanity in Sudan is getting lost.

The word “liberation” is abused. What improvement do we see? Oppressors and 
oppressed are running for their life. Northerners against Southerners, 
Northerners against Northerners, Southerners against Southerners, Nuer and 
Dinka are fighting against Arabs. Nuer and Arabs are fighting against 
Dinka. Dinka against Dinka. Nuer against Nuer, Didinga against Dinka… There 
are no winners. All are loosing. NGOs and churches prolong the fighting 
through the relief aid that unknowingly supports also the warring factions.

The country has so much wealth and natural resources that would guarantee a 
good livelihood for all Sudanese.

We Comboni Missionaries, working in the Liberated Area of Southern Sudan, 
have decided to “break the silence” and intensify our commitment against 
the injustice that fuels the war in Sudan. We appeal to you leaders of the 
warring sides: “In the name of God, lay down the guns! Stop fighting!”

We appeal to all people of goodwill: “Break the silence” and intensify your 
mediation for peace in Sudan!

We appeal to you, political and economic powers of the world, “Give up your 
greed and your selfish interests! Help Sudan to regain its lost humanity 
and identity.”

For all the 30 missionaries present

____________________________________________
The Justice and Peace committee
co-ordinator Fr. Michele Stragapede
P.O. Box 21102  Nairobi (Kenya)
tel. +254.2.562953 Fax. +254.2.570225
ssmccj@form-net.com

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Un homme meurt chaque fois que l'un d'entre nous se tait devant la tyrannie 
(Wole Soyinka, Prix Nobel litterature) *
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Everytime somebody keep silent when faced with tyranny, someone else dies 
(Wole Syinka, Nobel Prize for Literature)     *
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