Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak, President of the Conference, made the message public to the media in a press conference.
The message offers an analysis of the present situation, marked by major delays in the full implementation of the CPA. It also expresses concern for the transitional areas, like Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.
Regarding southern Sudan, the bishops say: “if unity is an option, we must understand what kind of unity we are speaking of.”.
Deterioration of the human right climate, persistence of repressive laws, and intimidation, detention without trial, and torture by the national security organs have not made unity attractive for the people of southern Sudan.
The letter denounces that the root causes of the conflict, i.e. the question of identity and the highly centralised system of governance, have not been addressed.
While calling attention to the referendum process and the need for more technical support by the international community, the Bishops have assured that they will continue to work for reconciliation and peace.
The extraordinary meeting of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference started on July 15. Among the facilitators was John Ashworth, who has worked in Sudan for over 27 years and is presently Acting Director of Denis Hurley Peace Institute, in South Africa.