As the Christmas season draws near, a bishop from Sudan is making a heartfelt plea to halt the violence that has plagued his nation for the past 21 months, causing a severe humanitarian crisis.
Archbishop’s Plea for Peace
Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo of the Episcopal Church in Sudan, a member of the Anglican Communion, spoke with Religion News Service, highlighting a unique spirit among Sudanese Christians.
Despite the ongoing conflict, many are gearing up to celebrate Christmas this year.
In areas experiencing relative calm, the arrival of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is expected to contribute positively to the holiday atmosphere.
In these more peaceful locales, holiday celebrations will carry on as usual and may even be amplified by the influx of those seeking shelter.
In stark contrast, the regions still ravaged by conflict will likely see subdued observances, as families take to celebrating indoors to avoid the threat of bombings.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
Having relocated to Port Sudan in April 2023, Archbishop Kondo fled from All Saints Cathedral in Khartoum amidst escalating violence between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
This conflict has primarily played out in densely populated urban centers, showing little regard for civilian safety, as both military groups vie for power after toppling an interim civilian government last year.
In the initial chaos of the conflict, the RSF commandeered All Saints Cathedral, turning it into a military outpost and utilizing church grounds for burials.
At the time, Kondo and fellow clergy were preparing for Sunday services.
For the second consecutive year, the archbishop lamented that countless individuals will find themselves displaced, enduring harsh living conditions marked by a lack of adequate food and shelter.
Kondo renewed his urgent call for both warring factions to lay down their arms and seek peace, especially during this sacred season celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace.
Call for Humanitarian Response
He warned that the relentless fighting jeopardizes the very fabric of Sudanese society, pointing out that continued hostilities threaten to leave no nation or people behind.
Kondo insisted on the critical need to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians and to bring an end to the violence.
He urged the Sudanese people to remain hopeful for a return to peace and implored military leaders to recognize the severe toll their actions have taken on their citizens, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Reflecting on the essence of Christmas, Kondo called for faith in God during these trying times and conveyed gratitude for divine guidance, expressing his belief that resolution would come in due time.
Current estimates suggest that the conflict has claimed over 61,000 lives, with some sources indicating numbers could soar to 150,000.
The United Nations has reported that nearly 12 million—close to half of Sudan’s population—have been displaced, while 25 million are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, indicating a crisis that has largely gone unnoticed.
In a recent briefing to the U.N. Security Council, Edem Wosornu, operations director at the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, characterized the situation in Sudan as an unparalleled humanitarian emergency, marked by its severe scale and brutality.
Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, who heads the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference, condemned the dire humanitarian consequences faced by the civilian population, stating that the situation has exceeded any level of what is acceptable and merits the strongest possible condemnation.
Source: Religionnews
