Topic: Sudan’s elections usher in hope for the future
Sudan (MNN) ¯ Sudan's elections conclude tomorrow. They're a key part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) that ended two decades of fighting between Sudan's northern and southern regions. The conflict killed as many as two million people.
Confusion, delays and charges of fraud marked the event at the beginning. Polls were extended by two days after technical difficulties at polling stations threatened to undermine the legitimacy of the outcome.
Lee DeYoung with Words of Hope explains the historical significance of the polls. "It will be the first time that Southern Sudanese will be able to elect their own representatives at least to the regional parliament and other offices in South Sudan, which is headquartered in Juba."
They are also a prelude to a referendum on independence slated for January 2011 in the South. "It does seem as if the mistrust of the Southern Sudanese for fair representation in Khartoum is at a high enough level that most feel it would be best for them to separate."
So far, the voting has been peaceful, in spite of some early confusion at the polls. The threat of violence hangs heavy. Words of Hope's programs regularly address the issue of peace and reconciliation. DeYoung says their team is praying for continued open doors for the Gospel. "Words of Hope ministers in South Sudan in Dinka and Nuer. Words of Hope will continue to monitor reports from our people."
The instability of the region has had its impact in the past on the radio outreach. In November, DeYoung says they decided to move the Dinka broadcast to a more hostile region, away from the relatively peaceful area on the border of Kenya and Sudan.
DeYoung said in November: "The people there are hopeful that this step (and perhaps doing so with regard to other programs, such as those in Nuer) might also increase the effectiveness and the fruit that might come about establishing peace and reconciliation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ as shared on the radio."
Keep praying for the future of Sudan, that the message of peace and reconciliation through Christ would take root.
