Using money from the oil industry developed by western companies, the government purchased weapons in increasing number and sophistication to use against the southern people. Government forces and militia have destroyed entire villages, as well as attacking hospitals and relief organizations trying to meet the needs of the people. Women have been frequently raped and children sold into slavery.

Sudan’s casualties as a result of Khartoum’s war against its own people number in the millions. Because of the war, famine has also plagued the country.

While the conflict was officially about control of land and wealth, it had a strong religious factor in that the government of Khartoum was strongly Islamic and the people of the south were predominantly Christian or animist. The Muslim government declared a jihad against the people of the south. Churches and Christian relief agencies were specifically targeted for attack.

In May 2003, an Anglican pastor in Khartoum meeting the needs of refugees from southern Sudan was ordered to destroy the chapel he had built out of straw. He was sent to prison indefinitely until he agreed to destroy the church. With fund-raising by Sudanese Christians and international intervention the church was eventually saved.

After repeated attempts at peace talks over the last several years, a formal peace accord was signed on January 9, 2005.  An interim constitution is in place, with the goal to adopt a permanent constitution in the near future. As one of the conditions of the peace accord, there will be a referendum after six years to determine whether or not the South should remain a part of Sudan.

• Pray that the peace accord will stand and that Christians will be free to worship in peace.
• Pray that the government will completely drop Sharia law in Sudan.