Developments in Sudan

Ros Stafford-Green joined Joseph Mawien and Steve Blacket on their return visit to Southern Sudan in January. Ros, who has a medical background has been involved in the development of the medical support program. She delivered birthing kits from Australia to traditional midwives and provided support to the new Church of Christ hospital at Malek Alel in Aweil South. (More detail on this visit can be found on the link http://fairdinkamate.blogspot.com/2010/01/provision-of-birthing-kits.html.)
 

GMP is now a registered organisation with the Government of South Sudan.  This registration will mean that GMP can provide the support and development with clear legal channels to work through.

Pastor Paulino Malou is working to establish a new Church of Christ mission in Marialbai, Aweil West, on land provided by the chief. The borders were marked last week and the chief is assisting with the registration of children whose parents have been killed in the civil war. The care of these children, along with widows and liberated slaves will be the focus during the initial stages of the mission, but the vision for the future includes a church, school and vocational training. Because of its proximity to the northern state border this region has been the front-line through decades of civil war. The need for aid and development here is great and there are very few organisations providing assistance.

 

Rev Angelo Agwer continues to lead a mission team from various churches in Aweil to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Darfuris and returnees from the north, in Gok Machar in Aweil North County. Angelo has asked for practical assistance with items such as bikes and malaria treatment. The bikes are critical because many areas are inaccessible by road. (One church in South Australia has already raised funds for these bikes!)  IDPs from the north haven't developed immunity to malaria and so are very susceptible. One of Angelo's team has been trained at Aweil Civic Hospital to provide the treatment. The possibility of a medical partnership with Aweil Civic Hospital has been explored and after consultation and consideration it has been decided not to proceed at this stage. (More news can be found on: http://fairdinkamate.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-about-hospital.html.)
 

National Elections are scheduled for April, the first step towards democracy since the military dictatorship took power. President Bashir is currently negotiating peace deals with rebel groups from Darfur and has also expressed his commitment to work towards sustainable peace with the South. A referendum is scheduled for January 2011 where Southerners will decide between independence and remaining in a unified Sudan. This is a critical period where there is potential for lasting peace or for renewed conflict. Sudanese leaders have asked for prayer for peace.