Sudan’s bishops lament ‘immense suffering’ due to war

By Linda Bordoni

“We cannot distance ourselves” from what has been happening in Sudan since war broke out in the country in April 2023, say Sudan’s Catholic bishops, who describe “horrific war crimes and human rights violations committed by both sides.”

In a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sudan and South Sudan after a meeting that ended Saturday in Juba, the bishops called for an end to the war, the delivery of humanitarian aid, advocacy for peace and preparation for post-conflict rehabilitation, reconstruction and trauma healing.

15 months of war

The power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated into a full-scale conflict in April. Conservative estimates put the conflict at least 15,500 deaths, while others put the death toll as high as 150,000.

Before the conflict, Sudan was already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly 16 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Today, 25 million people, more than half of Sudan's population, are in need of assistance, including 12 million who have been displaced from their homes and are reportedly subject to abuse in total disregard of humanitarian law.

Unimaginable levels of violence and hatred

The Sudanese bishops write that “the fabric of Sudanese society has been torn apart, with people left shocked, traumatized and in disbelief at the level of violence and hatred.”

“This is not simply a war between two generals,” the statement continued, noting that “the military has become inextricably integrated into the economic life of the country, and the SAF and RSF each have a network of wealthy Sudanese and international elites and cartels who benefit from their control over various sectors of the economy.”

In addition to what the bishops describe as “horrific war crimes and human rights violations committed by both sides,” they stress that the population is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe in a context where “there is not even a glimmer of hope for peace dialogue that could bring hope to the Sudanese.”

Expressing concern that the leaders of the warring parties are not ready for peace, the prelates said that “the time has come for them to think about the people and the nation,” noting that “the more people disperse, the more hatred grows between the different Sudanese ethnic groups.”

Gratitude for the Pope's appeals and concern

In the statement drafted by the Joint Episcopal Conference of Sudan and South Sudan, members express their gratitude to Pope Francis for repeatedly expressing his concern for Sudan and its neighbor and for his calls for peace and protection of refugees.

Raising their voices to condemn the atrocities being perpetrated against innocent civilians in Sudan, they write: “We condemn the killing, rape and pillaging of civilians by all sides, and we call for accountability for their crimes,” and joining the Pope’s call for peace and dialogue, they appeal to those engaged in the fighting “to lay down their arms and enter into meaningful peace negotiations.”