There are no nations on earth closer to my heart than Sudan and South Sudan. I spent a number of years visiting both nations, working with church leaders and running training courses. Even today I have contact with several men whose fellowship and friendship I continue to value and enjoy.
But, as always seems to be the case, both Sudan and South Sudan are in great difficulty. While our western news media only tend to concentrate on world issues that impact us here in the west, there are deeply troubling things taking place in both Sudanese countries.
In Sudan, there has been a two year long brutal and bloody civil war, largely ignored by the rest of the world, and yet which has caused the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. The capital city, Khartoum, a city I know well and love, has largely been reduced to rubble and the Christian presence in Sudan has been drastically reduced.
Here are links to some BBC articles on the situation:
- Sudan conflict: BBC smuggles phones into el-Fasher to uncover hunger and fear – BBC News
- Sudan crisis: RSF paramilitaries declare rival government – BBC News
- Sudan war: Dozens killed in attacks on famine-hit Darfur camps – BBC News
South Sudan, which became an independent nation in 2011, has had a fragile peace for most of those years but is on the verge of a new civil war.
- South Sudan tensions: Fears grow of return to civil war between Riek Machar and Salva Kiir – BBC News
- What in the World – South Sudan conflict: Explained – BBC Sounds
Here are comments from a dear brother who is a Pastor in Juba, the capital of South Sudan:
“I believe you are aware the insecurity in South Sudan. Please pray for the peace of the Land. Our country is going through some challenges and if not handled well we will go back to war. We had a one week prayer and fasting for the land, building the wall and standing in the gap for our people. We have seen the hand of the Lord and we are grateful for the improvement in the situation.
“I am touched and felt the true Love of God through your thoughts about us. It reminded me the 90’s and early 2000’s. How the churches in the West prayed for us, the people of South Sudan. That prayers gave birth to the Country now known as South Sudan. Unfortunately, our people forgot to give glory to God by thanking Him first. No National Prayers ever been declared by the leadership of the nation to give thanks to God. Pray that we will be a nation that fears God.”
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