Khartoum, 07 May, 2023 / 8:40 pm (ACI Africa).
The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa (JENA) is calling for “prayer and action” to bring an end to the ongoing violent conflict in Sudan, where violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on April 15.
In a Monday, May 1 statement shared with ACI Africa, JENA Executive Director, Fr. Charles Chilufya, says there is need to seek long-term solutions to the crisis that has cost the lives of at least 500 people and wounded 4,600 others.
“JENA urges all men and women of goodwill to join us in prayer and action for peace in Sudan,” Fr. Chilufya says, and adds in reference to Pope Francis' 10 February 2021 General Audience, “Prayer is all-powerful. Prayer is an expression of our cry to God for help, to come to our aid. Let us use it to bring peace to the hearts of all people.”
The official of the department of the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar (JCAM) says the humanitarian crisis in Sudan “demands immediate action” and calls upon the international community to “take urgent steps to restore peace and security in Sudan.”
“JENA emphasizes the need for a long-term solution to prevent such crises from happening in the future,” Fr. Chilufya says, and continues, “Let us not forget the lessons of history and the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict.”
