Signed in 2005, the CPA put an end to a civil war that had left nearly two million dead since 1983, and gave a chance for unity and reconciliation in an interim period between 9th July 2005 and 8th July 2011.

But the Bishop pointed out that no part of the agreement has yet been fully implemented, with serious disagreement over National Census results and the planned referendum on the South’s possible secession. Elections which were to give a chance to see what a democratic and united Sudan could look like have been postponed twice and are now only due to be held in April 2010.

Dr Stancliffe added: ‘Church leaders tell us that the vast majority of the southern Sudanese people no longer trust any talk of confederation or “attractive unity” and want an independent Southern Sudan. And the six years to prepare for the referendum have now whittled down to just 14 months.” 

He added that violence in the south has killed more than 1,200 this year, and displaced 250,000, a rate of violent deaths which surpasses that in Darfur. “Church leaders believe these are not isolated incidents, but a co-ordinated campaign to destabilize the South in the run up to the elections and the referendum.” he said.

The Bishop told the House that if the CPA is to be made to work, it must be fully implemented and fully supported by guarantor governments, including the UK. “Attention must also be turned to a post-2011 Sudan, about which the CPA says nothing. The alternative is a return to civil war.”

“The 14 months left to deliver the CPA are critical for securing a long term future for Sudan, a future which will have consequences for the Horn of Africa and the entire continent.”

 [Ends]

The Bishop of Salisbury’s Senior Chaplain is the Revd Jonathan Ball

01722 334031/07787 758756

senior.chaplain@salisbury.anglican.org