The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Auteur: Lausanne Global Analysis
Date: 08.07.2011
Lieu: Juba | Soudan
Category: Réconciliation, Croyances du monde, Liberté religieuse
Sudan has suffered through two catastrophic civil wars since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1956. The first Sudanese Civil War lasted from 1955–1972 and the second from 1983–2005. Ethnic and religious clashes continued between the two wars, resulting in nearly 50 years of conflict. Millions of Sudanese have died as a result of the violence and millions more have been displaced, both internally and across borders.
The civil wars in Sudan were two of 44 religious civil wars fought around the world between 1940 and 2010 (though religion had a more decisive role in the second).[1] Ethnicity and religion play an important part in the politics and daily lives of people in Sudan; the primarily Arabic-speaking Muslim north and African, English-speaking animist/Christian south have been at odds for decades. In fact, one of the predominant reasons for the second civil war was the north’s desire to force their culture, religion, and language onto the south, which was overwhelmingly resistant to such efforts;[2] this also included a push for sharia law. The end of this war was mediated under U.S. President George W. Bush by former U.S. Senator John Danforth (Special Envoy for Peace in Sudan, 2001), an ordained Episcopal priest and therefore respected as a “man of God” by Christian and Muslim leaders alike.[3] Danforth acutely understood the tensions surrounding the religious reality of the situation and thus was able to work for peace by bringing Muslim and Christian leaders together, utilizing the Sudanese Inter-Religious Council.[4]
In January 2011 a referendum on independence was held in Southern Sudan, a condition established in the 2005 peace agreement that ended the Second Sudanese Civil War. Voter turnout in Southern Sudan was 99%; only about 45,000 people voted to stay united with northern Sudan and 3.8 million voted for secession (that is, 1.17% against and 98.83% in favor).[5] Southern Sudan will officially become the world’s newest country on July 9, 2011 (leaving a much reduced Sudan or Northern Sudan as a second “new” country). Several key issues remain to be resolved, such as oil rights, border demarcation, and the status of Abyei.[6] The map below illustrates the new religious demography of Sudan and Southern Sudan, highlighting a clear North-South divide between Muslims and Christians.
Map: Majority religion in Sudan by province
These religious differences are further shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. The first thing to notice is that Sudan (Northern) has been at least 85% Muslim for the past 100 years. Over that same period, animists (or ethno-religionists) have declined from almost 15% to less than 3%. A significant Christian minority exists in the North, mostly in Khartoum, consisting mainly of Roman Catholics and Anglicans, many as transplants from the South.
Tables 1 and 2: Religious Differences
Southern Sudan, on the other hand, was largely animistic in 1900 but has gradually become majority Christian over the course of the century. The bulk of the growth has been over the past 40 years, despite the civil wars and the death of perhaps as many as 2 million people in the South. Roman Catholic work in Sudan began in 1842, though much of it was focused on Khartoum. Anglicans started in 1899, also initially based in Khartoum.
Although the official split from Sudan was relatively peaceful, there is still great possibility for tension and conflict. The return of refugees to an already-underdeveloped country will undoubtedly put strains on the nation’s scant resources. Additionally, Dennis Blair (U.S. Director of National Intelligence) warned the U.S. Congress in 2010 that out of the countries he deemed most susceptible to “new outbreak[s] of mass killing...a new mass killing or genocide is most likely to occur in Southern Sudan.” [7] It is clear that there is a need for a movement of ongoing interreligious dialogue between Muslims and Christians in Sudan in order for the two communities to be able to live amicably together, despite their rough history. It has been difficult for the church to embrace such a measure since much of the violence has historically been initiated by the Muslim north.[8] In addition, the situation in Southern Sudan is arguably one of the worst health crises in the world. It has essentially no health care system and is home to a combination of deadly, untreatable, and unique diseases.[9]
Despite the conflict, trials, and seemingly poor outlook of life in Sudan, the church has made great gains there in recent decades. Progress began during the nineteenth century when Christians, with slave-trade guilt, began a mission in Sudan with few converts to report. Christianity did not begin to grow significantly until the twentieth century; all missionaries were expelled 1964 during the First Sudanese Civil War, followed by genocide and displacement. Despite the strife, the church grew. The Episcopal Church of the Sudan is the fastest-growing church in the Anglican Communion; this is apparent even in refugee camps scattered throughout Southern Sudan.[10] Canon Ezra Baya Lawiri, an Anglican leader, summed up the situation in Sudan quite well before his death in a crossfire in 1990: “God is not defeated” in Sudan.[11]
This article is a part of a pilot version of the Lausanne Global Analysis. A planning team has begun working on the production of the new Lausanne Global Analysis. The Analysiswill provide multi-lingual analysis of issues facing the church and wordwide evangelization from a global network of regional leaders, researchers and writers. The launch as a monthly publication is tentatively scheduled for April 2012. (Learn more)
[1]. Monica Duffy Toft, Daniel Philpott, Timothy Samuel Shah, God’s Century: Resurgent Religion and Global Politics (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2011), 154, 162.
[2]. Francis M. Deng, “Sudan—Civil War and Genocide: Disappearing Christians of the Middle East,” Middle East Quarterly 8, no. 1 (Winter 2001), 13, cited in Toft et al., God’s Century, 161.
[3]. Toft et al., God’s Century, 192.
[4]. Ibid.
[5]. “South Sudan backs independence – results,” BBC [British Broadcasting Corporation], February 7, 2011, accessed May 18, 2011, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12379431.
[6]. As of May 22, 2011, the Sudanese Army occupied Abyei, claiming the town for North Sudan. See Jeffrey Gettleman and Josh Kron, “Warnings of All-Out War in Fight Over Sudan Town,” The New York Times, May 22, 2011, accessed May 22, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/world/africa/23sudan.html?_r=2&hp. This has great potential to cause continued conflict between the two countries.
[7]. “Southern Sudan votes to split from the north,” CNN [Cable News Network], February 7, 2011, accessed May 4, 2011, http://articles.cnn.com/2011-02-07/world/sudan.referendum.results_1_sudanese-president-omar-al-bashir-preliminary-results-comprehensive-peace-agreement/2?_s=PM:WORLD.
[8]. Grant LeMarquand, “Faith in Sudan: Recent work on the history and theology of Christianity in the Sudan,” accessed May 5, 2011, http://www.tsm.edu/sites/default/files/Faculty%20Writings/LeMarquand%20-%20Faith%20in%20Sudan.pdf, 2.
[9]. Emma Ross, “Southern Sudan has unique combination of worst diseases in the world,” Sudan Tribune, January 28, 2004, accessed May 4, 2011, http://www.sudantribune.com/Southern-Sudan-has-unique,1616.
[10]. LeMarquand, “Faith in Sudan,” 1.
[11]. Ibid., 6.
Mots-clés: Global Analysis, Sudan, Southern Sudan
Vues: 8441
Commentaires: 12
Recommandations: 1
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États-Unis
For me, as an latin american, Africa always has been a challenge and a great opportunity to spread the gospel. But, we Christians have to admit that it is for Muslims too. So, let’s support Southern Sudan and pray that this region can be used as a light for all that continent.
05.12.2012
États-Unis
As I read about the situation in Southern Sudan, "arguably one of the worst health crises in the world," I believe it is obvious that one of the focuses of Christian missions in that country must be medical missions. As we seek to minister to the souls of the people of Sudan, we must minister to their medical needs as well. A holistic approach to missions in that country is needed. As Christians, we must not forget the example that Jesus gave us when He ministered to both the spiritual and physical needs of people. If we ignore the physical sufferings of the people of Sudan, our presentation of the gospel will sound empty.
05.12.2011
États-Unis
One of the things most amazing is that how in one century the country turned from being animistic to a christian nation. There seems to be tremendous opportunity for contineous growth and development. How significant will the3% be in the North in making any kind of impact.
25.11.2011
États-Unis
Often it is because of our own limitations that we see to bring people on our level. This is primarily done for our own benefit and not for God’s. We are forgetful of the fact that God made every creature and knows the value and worth of each of us. He finds us where we are. Why can’t we do the same and trust God.
23.11.2011
États-Unis
In regards to Ethnicity in Sudan or any other part of the world, I don’t think that it’s correct to force someone from another culture to learn or believe like I believe. Jesus for example, never did such thing. Instead, He demonstrated His love to everyone regardless of their race or language. The Samaritan woman is a good example where Jesus initiated a conversation by utilizing the water from the well. From there on, He began to relate the physical water with the spiritual water (salvation) in such a way that even though the woman did not want to talk to him because fo the racial barriers, was amazed and opened up to Him by telling Him that she wanted the spiritual water.
04.11.2011
États-Unis
@ Ernesto:
That is unfortunately one of the major differences between Christianity and Islam. Christians spread the Gospel through word and deed and rely on the Holy Spirit to do the rest. Islam (at least of recent history) has been much more militant in spreading its faith. It is a different command; a different worldview; a different view of God.
21.11.2011
États-Unis
@ gwu_stevens:
The sad thing is that we are often given the most militant side of Islam as we view it in the west. The truth is that there is a faction that are that way, yet there is a group or facit that is more docile. There are as well factions in Christianity that are hateful and perpetrate volience but they do not describe all Christians.
23.11.2011
États-Unis
@ gwu_stevens:
The sad thing is that we are often given the most militant side of Islam as we view it in the west. The truth is that there is a faction that are that way, yet there is a group or facit that is more docile. There are as well factions in Christianity that are hateful and perpetrate volience but they do not describe all Christians.
23.11.2011
États-Unis
It bothers me immensely that so little press, at least in the US, has been given to the state of affairs in this region. Only now that Southern Sudan has achieved independence is the story being considered news-worthy. I well remember the humanitarian response of people in the late 80s to the Ethiopian famine. But the majority of people soon lost interest as other stories were given press. Now as S. Sudan has regained news-worthy status, the focus has shifted back to the appalling circumstances prevalent in S. Sudan, Ethiopia, and particularly Somalia.
I am encouraged to learn of the Christian influence in S. Sudan. It is my prayer that God’s people, both already there and elsewhere will respond to these urgent, and tragic humanitarian crises. I pray that the response will be grace-filled and not tainted by ethnic differences and revenge.
11.07.2011
États-Unis
@ Leah12:
I am in total agreement in your assessment with the article, Leah. I wish to add a prayer for N. Sudan. Since God wants that no one be lost, our prayer is for the gospel to be preach and accepted their and for those who pursue that mission to be safe as they witness in that nation.
14.07.2011
États-Unis
@ Leah12:
Leah your comments are admirable. Often we allow the wrong things to become our news motivators. I agree that so much has happen and is happening in this region. I am glad for the efforts that for the most part is resuming as there were some already being made in that region but very little. I prayer for that region and I am so grateful to feel your concern for the area.
23.11.2011
États-Unis
I worry especially for those Christian populations remaining in the North; I hope attacks do not continue against them. But this divide was the best thing that could have happened for the region. God bless them and their new countries.
04.11.2011
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