Sudan Covenanters Suffer from Upsurge in Violence

IRVINE, CA (May 1, 2002) - Some 50,000 Sudanese Covenanters are in increased danger due to an upsurge in violence by the Northern Sudanese government, said Jim Sundholm, director of Covenant World Relief.

Sundholm, who also serves as coordinator for Department of World Mission Church Relations West, traveled with Jerry Rice for two weeks in southern Sudan and western Ethiopia, arriving back in the United States April 9. He said that the Khartoum-based northern Sudanese government has been fighting in south Sudan as it has attempted to gain land for oil companies to do development work in that country. As a result, said Sundholm, many relief agencies are unable to make drops of food and other supplies to areas that are unable to support themselves.

"I was meeting a lot of people who weren't just living by the day, they were living for the half day," said Sundholm in describing the desperate situation in Sudan.

According to a recent Associated Press report, the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army said in a statement that mechanized infantry columns supported by helicopter gunships began attacking rebel-held villages in Bahr el-Ghazal and Western and Eastern Upper Nile provinces last week.

The Sudan People's Liberation Army has been at war with the Khartoum-based government since 1983. Heavy fighting was also taking place on a road connecting the towns of Wau and Gogrial. Christian Solidarity International told the Associated Press that the entire population of Gogrial had been evacuated and that 20,000 had left their homes.

Covenant churches in south Sudan have been fortunate in getting needed supplies because of proximity to Ethiopia in what is called the Upper Nile region. "Most agencies spend 30 cents on the dollar to fly supplies into the area, but we have an enormous savings because of our base in western Ethiopia," he said. "People could drive or walk supplies in or fill a canoe and float supplies across the river."

Sundholm said that the purchase of needed canoes has been a godsend. Through Covenant World Relief, the Covenant Sudanese congregations have also benefited from learning about drip irrigation, which can help them grow crops when there isn't much water. Where many areas are experiencing food shortages, other areas served by Covenant churches are more secure because they are producing crops such as corn or sorghum (a type of grain) and harvesting a plentiful supply of fish in the Upper Nile.

Lately, however, local militia have harassed innocent people and looting by roving thieves has increased, said Sundholm, who added, "Now North Sudan is bombing areas that have the ability to produce food and they can't plant crops. "The churches seemed to be thriving in the midst of persecution, but it's beginning to be difficult to resource them."

Printable version of this page.