British charities emphasise dialogue, peace

Three British Christian development charities on Tuesday called on the United States and United Kingdom governments to take the necessary steps to convince all parties engaged in the Sudanese civil war to negotiate peace rather than continuing to pursue military options.

The call was made by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Christian Aid and Tearfund in advance of the Sudan Ecumenical Forum, "a conference of Sudan's religious leaders and their external friends", due to be held in London from 4-6 March.

"Now is a critical time in the history of Sudan, with one of the best opportunities to move the peace process forward," they quoted Catholic Bishop David Konstant of Leeds, as saying.

"The Christian churches have always played an important role in promoting dialogue, and this conference is one more attempt to find solutions to the problems that lie at the heart of Sudan's conflict," Konstant added.

British Secretary of State for International Development Clare Short is scheduled to participate in the forum as a keynote speaker.

"All who care for the people of Sudan should work for a just peace rather than a prolongation of the war," Tuesday's statement by the NGOs quoted her as saying. "I believe the churches in the UK, United States and Sudan could be a major engine of peace."

The forum will also endeavour to make sure that the voice of southern Sudanese civil society is heard more clearly, according to the three charities, who are funding it.

"Any peace agreement that is reached without taking into account the views of the ordinary people will not be sustainable," said Rob Rees, CAFOD programme officer for Sudan.

"The kind of system that can bring about a just and lasting peace has to be found by the Sudanese through discussions among themselves, but the ecumenical community can do much to help this happen," he added.