SUDANESE CHURCH LEADERS' FORUM
A Vision for a Peaceful Sudan
23-26 March 2010
Juba, Southern Sudan
Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)
More than 60 Sudanese Church leaders from 14 churches throughout Sudan gathered in Juba with their international partners from 23-26 March 2010 to review the current situation in Sudan and to prepare for the future. Church leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Rwanda and South Africa and partners from the international community were present in solidarity with the Church and people of Sudan. Representatives of the Muslim community attended part of the meeting.
This is a historic period in the history of Sudan. After the referendum in 2011 Sudan will never be the same again, whether it remains united or becomes two countries. Time is short and urgent reflection and action are needed to ensure a peaceful future. This is Sudan’s Kairos Moment. There is no time to waste.
The Sudanese Church is concerned at increasing violence within the south and Darfur, at delays in implementing the CPA, and at the lack of an international political consensus on the next steps. The Church cares about the freedom, dignity and human rights of all the people of Sudan, whether in the north or the south, and encourages a spirit of good neighbourliness and cooperation.
The Sudanese Church:
Is concerned that popular consultation does not meet the aspirations of the people of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. The issue must be put at the top of all stakeholders’ agendas as a matter of priority. Their special situation requires special status and a new way of looking at them. The Church fears that failure to address the aspirations of the people of these two states could derail any peaceful post-2011 transition.
Calls upon all stakeholders to ensure that the forthcoming elections in April 2010 are peaceful, free and fair. This is an opportunity for the Sudanese to exercise their democratic rights within the framework of the CPA. Following the elections, all parties must accept the results. If there are grievances and disputes, these must be solved by legal means, not by violence.
Calls for an end to violence between ethnic groups and political factions within southern Sudan, and other conflicts within Sudan. In particular the Church calls on political leaders to play a constructive role in healing and reconciliation.
Calls for the full and peaceful implementation of the CPA, particularly the timely, free and fair referendums for the south and Abyei and popular consultations for Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan.
Calls for immediate and ongoing discussions about the post-referendum transition, especially if secession is chosen by the south and Abyei. Good relations between north and south are essential. The position of the Church in northern Sudan is of particular concern. The Church calls for engagement with the concerns of local communities and civil society about both northerners in the south and southerners in the north.
Calls on the international community to continue its commitment to rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The Sudanese Church:
Has begun a new process of re-engagement with the burning issues of the day, building on its experience and credibility gained during the previous war. The Church Leaders' Forum is the first step in this ongoing process.
In response to a request from the Sudanese Church, the All Africa Conference of Churches and the World Council of Churches have jointly appointed an Ecumenical Special Envoy to Sudan to accompany the process.
Invites all Church-related bodies, such as evangelical alliances, to participate in and support this process.
The Sudanese Church undertakes:
To roll out a new People to People Process of dialogue to counter internal conflicts in the south, the marginalised areas and other parts of Sudan.
To set up a task force to analyse the situation in Sudan and advise the Church how to respond quickly to events.
To engage with national, regional and international bodies, including the Governments of National Unity and Southern Sudan, neighbouring governments and churches, AU, IGAD, Arab League, EU, UN, and key governments such as USA, UK and Norway, for lobby and advocacy to explain the feelings of southerners and people from the marginalised areas and their likely reaction to events, and provide guidance on what to do.
To inform and work with these international and regional partners on the position of the Church in northern Sudan, and to empower the Church in the north to sustain itself during the post-referendum transition period.
To engage with all stakeholders within Sudan, including traditional authorities, parties, civil society, and other faiths.
To increase its role in civic education, awareness raising and monitoring on elections, referendums and popular consultations.
(foi-me gentilmente enviado pelo padre José Vieira)
23.3.10
Angola está a ser reconstruída pela China
O grupo empresarial bancário chinês Citic Group entrega em breve ao Governo 20 mil habitações sociais que estão a ser construídas no município do Kilamba Kiaxi, em Luanda, há um ano, numa área de nove quilómetros quadrados. O bairro tem equipamentos sociais importantes, como jardins infantis e escolas.
O presidente do Citic Group, Kong Dan, foi recebido ontem pelo Presidente da República, José Eduardo dos Santos, no Palácio da Cidade Alta, para garantir que o bairro, construído nas proximidades do Estádio Nacional 11 de Novembro, está 85 por cento concluído. As habitações são entregues aos destinatários antes do prazo estabelecido. O empresário chinês convidou as autoridades nacionais a visitarem o projecto.
Kong Dan, recebido ao princípio da tarde de ontem em audiência pelo Chefe do Executivo, manifestou a disponibilidade do Citic Group em participar na segunda e terceira fases do projecto de urbanização de 54 mil quilómetros quadrados no Kilamba Kiaxi.
Os empresários chineses querem um modelo de cooperação que lhes permita participar também no processo de reconstrução nacional, incluindo o projecto de construção de um milhão de fogos habitacionais até 2012.
O presidente do Citic Group anunciou que propôs ao Governo a construção em Angola do maior centro cultural de África. O grupo está disposto em investir dezenas de milhões de dólares na construção do centro. Para além do sector imobiliário, o Citic Group está disposto em investir na agricultura.
Em Malanje e no Uíge, o Citic Group pretende milhares de hectares para investir na produção agrícola de grande escala. Aquele grupo bancário chinês manifestou a intenção de investir igualmente na prospecção de recursos minerais.
Kong Dan disse que o Citic Group está disposto a assumir responsabilidades sociais, desde o sector desportivo à formação de quadros. Só no projecto do Kilamba Kiaxi dois mil angolanos foram formados na obra.
A última vez que José Eduardo dos Santos e Kong Dan se encontraram foi em Agosto de 2008, em Pequim, no Hotel Renascence, durante uma série de audiências que o Presidente da República concedeu a empresários chineses, por ocasião da sua visita à China para participar na cerimónia de abertura dos Jogos Olímpicos de 2008.
Jornal de Angola
O presidente do Citic Group, Kong Dan, foi recebido ontem pelo Presidente da República, José Eduardo dos Santos, no Palácio da Cidade Alta, para garantir que o bairro, construído nas proximidades do Estádio Nacional 11 de Novembro, está 85 por cento concluído. As habitações são entregues aos destinatários antes do prazo estabelecido. O empresário chinês convidou as autoridades nacionais a visitarem o projecto.
Kong Dan, recebido ao princípio da tarde de ontem em audiência pelo Chefe do Executivo, manifestou a disponibilidade do Citic Group em participar na segunda e terceira fases do projecto de urbanização de 54 mil quilómetros quadrados no Kilamba Kiaxi.
Os empresários chineses querem um modelo de cooperação que lhes permita participar também no processo de reconstrução nacional, incluindo o projecto de construção de um milhão de fogos habitacionais até 2012.
O presidente do Citic Group anunciou que propôs ao Governo a construção em Angola do maior centro cultural de África. O grupo está disposto em investir dezenas de milhões de dólares na construção do centro. Para além do sector imobiliário, o Citic Group está disposto em investir na agricultura.
Em Malanje e no Uíge, o Citic Group pretende milhares de hectares para investir na produção agrícola de grande escala. Aquele grupo bancário chinês manifestou a intenção de investir igualmente na prospecção de recursos minerais.
Kong Dan disse que o Citic Group está disposto a assumir responsabilidades sociais, desde o sector desportivo à formação de quadros. Só no projecto do Kilamba Kiaxi dois mil angolanos foram formados na obra.
A última vez que José Eduardo dos Santos e Kong Dan se encontraram foi em Agosto de 2008, em Pequim, no Hotel Renascence, durante uma série de audiências que o Presidente da República concedeu a empresários chineses, por ocasião da sua visita à China para participar na cerimónia de abertura dos Jogos Olímpicos de 2008.
Jornal de Angola
15.3.10
Carta a Raúl Castro
Santa Clara, February 26, 2010
Army General Raúl Castro Ruz
President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba
Copy to: Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. Army Corps General Abelardo Colome Ibarra, Interior Minister of Cuba
Mr. President:
As you lamented to the foreign press on February 23 of this year, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, political prisoner of conscience recognized by Amnesty International, died after an 83-day Hunger Strike.
From the conversations I’ve had with respect to this death with officials of State Security, they attempted to justify the death saying they tried to do everything from the medical point of view and it was the body’s own vital organs of the now deceased which could not withstand the prolonged fast.
If this is true, you have the opportunity to show your countrymen, and foreign observers of the reality of our country, that your government is not the cruel entity, inhumane and bloody, as it is so much publicized to be. A country where constant beatings, tortures and humiliations take place within the more than 200 prisons here.
Attached to this document is a list of Cuban political prisoners of conscience who are currently in a serious state of health, which could be lethal, if these inmates are not released quickly, given the difficult conditions with regards to food, hygiene and access to medicines which predominate in the penitentiary settings.
If the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo was not planned political vengeance, as we your detractors allege and as your apologists deny, then order the immediate release of these very sick inmates, because to do the contrary would run the risk of death in prison of other human beings who never engaged in violence to criticize your government.
We both have a characteristic that unites us, we were born in Cuba and through our opposing political world views we both consider ourselves to be patriots, you from communism and I from anti-communism, and that the Country should be above everything. Our patriotic duty is to avoid painful and unnecessary deaths, such as happened to Orlando Zapata Tamayo,
Your political spokesmen justify your regime’s repression against us, with the pejorative nickname claiming we are “mercenaries.” I point out to you, Mr. President, that no authentic mercenary sacrifices himself for his country as Orlando Zapata Tamayo has done.
And to make it clear that what Orland Zapata Tamayo did does not constitute a rarity among us, your public opponents, and that his death has not been in vain, I declare a Hunger and Thirst Strike until my comrades in the fight of ideas who are mortally ill are brought in freedom to their homes.
Guillermo Fariñas Hernandez, bachelor of psychology, ex-political prisoner on three occasions, independent journalist and librarian.
Army General Raúl Castro Ruz
President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba
Copy to: Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. Army Corps General Abelardo Colome Ibarra, Interior Minister of Cuba
Mr. President:
As you lamented to the foreign press on February 23 of this year, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, political prisoner of conscience recognized by Amnesty International, died after an 83-day Hunger Strike.
From the conversations I’ve had with respect to this death with officials of State Security, they attempted to justify the death saying they tried to do everything from the medical point of view and it was the body’s own vital organs of the now deceased which could not withstand the prolonged fast.
If this is true, you have the opportunity to show your countrymen, and foreign observers of the reality of our country, that your government is not the cruel entity, inhumane and bloody, as it is so much publicized to be. A country where constant beatings, tortures and humiliations take place within the more than 200 prisons here.
Attached to this document is a list of Cuban political prisoners of conscience who are currently in a serious state of health, which could be lethal, if these inmates are not released quickly, given the difficult conditions with regards to food, hygiene and access to medicines which predominate in the penitentiary settings.
If the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo was not planned political vengeance, as we your detractors allege and as your apologists deny, then order the immediate release of these very sick inmates, because to do the contrary would run the risk of death in prison of other human beings who never engaged in violence to criticize your government.
We both have a characteristic that unites us, we were born in Cuba and through our opposing political world views we both consider ourselves to be patriots, you from communism and I from anti-communism, and that the Country should be above everything. Our patriotic duty is to avoid painful and unnecessary deaths, such as happened to Orlando Zapata Tamayo,
Your political spokesmen justify your regime’s repression against us, with the pejorative nickname claiming we are “mercenaries.” I point out to you, Mr. President, that no authentic mercenary sacrifices himself for his country as Orlando Zapata Tamayo has done.
And to make it clear that what Orland Zapata Tamayo did does not constitute a rarity among us, your public opponents, and that his death has not been in vain, I declare a Hunger and Thirst Strike until my comrades in the fight of ideas who are mortally ill are brought in freedom to their homes.
Guillermo Fariñas Hernandez, bachelor of psychology, ex-political prisoner on three occasions, independent journalist and librarian.
Fariñas: cinco condecorações obtidas em Angola
Nací el 3 de enero de 1962, en Santa Clara, antigua provincia de Las Villas. Cursé la primaria en la Escuela “José Antonio Echeverría”, sita en Juan Bruno Zayas y Callejón de las Flores, hasta cuarto grado. El quinto y sexto, los realicé en “Orestes de la Torre”, situado en Paseo de la Paz esquina a Serafín Sánchez.
La Secundaria Básica la realicé en la escuela “José Antonio Echeverría”, en calle Independencia y Juan Bruno Zayas. Al terminar noveno grado continué estudios en la escuela militar “Camilo Cienfuegos”, que en aquel momento estaba en el Km. 7, de la carretera a Camajuaní.
Pertenecí al equipo de baloncesto participando en los “Juegos Escolares”, como defensor y atacador del equipo 11-12 y 15-16 y sustituto de Leonardo “Maravilla” Pérez. Al terminar el 12 grado en 1980, en el segundo semestre, fui movilizado hacia La Habana como precadete para estudiar una carrera del MINFAR en la 5ta División, que comprendía los cadetes que iban a estudiar Inteligencia y Contrainteligencia de Tropas Especiales.
Fui ubicado en la unidad militar de Barbosa, en la Autopista del Mediodía, actual Instituto de Policiología “Capitán Eliseo Reyes”. Formé parte de las Tropas de Apoyo a la Custodia de la Embajada del Perú, del Batallón de Seguridad Personal y Batallón de Seguridad a Sedes Diplomáticas, custodié La Casa Central de las FAR, actual Hotel Comodoro, Batallón de Protección a la Valla de gallos en Managua, frecuentada por generales y comandantes de la Revolución, perteneciente al comandante Guillermo García Frías.
Fui al polígono de entrenamiento de tropas especiales en “El Cacho”, Pinar del Río, con entrenadores chinos, coreanos y vietnamitas. En Noviembre de 1980 partí hacia Angola. Fuimos destacados en el sur en las cercanías de la ciudad de Huambo, en la localidad de Piñeiro, bajo las órdenes del coronel Antonio Enrique Luzón Battle, con 5 batallones de Lucha Antiguerrillera de Tropas Especiales.
Fui asignado al Batallón de Tropas Especiales para formar parte de los Comandos de Demolición Penetración y Sabotaje subordinados directamente al Ministro de las FAR. En estas funciones realicé once incursiones en la retaguardia de la UNITA, en las cuales recibí 5 condecoraciones y 11 diplomas, ocupados por la DSE en la primera prisión en 1995
En las penetraciones recibí dos heridas de bala una en la pierna izquierda y la otra en la columna vertebral, la segunda bala fue amortiguada por los objetos que estaban dentro de la mochila.
Regresé a Cuba en 1981, estuve tres meses de vacaciones. En agosto de 1981, partí hacia la antigua URSS. Allí estuve como cadete en la Academia de Desembarco Aéreo de la ciudad de Tambov, en las cercanías de Moscú 280 Km. Allí con entrenamiento de vietnamitas, coreanos y chinos, además de entrenadores rusos, en una práctica por negligencia del oficial en rasos fui contaminado por un gas neuroparalizante, el cual me produjo crisis de epilepsia y fui evacuado hacia Moscú y al poco tiempo al Hospital Naval de La Habana.
Allí me mantuve ingresado durante varios meses, haciéndome estudios clínicos y finalmente se me dio la baja militar por ser mi enfermedad incompatible con la vida militar. En septiembre de 1983, matriculé en la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Central de las Villas. Fui dirigente de la FEU, en la esfera deportiva y en 1986 estuve a punto de ser expulsado, pues el DSE me identificó dentro de un grupo seguidores de Freud y por ser este mismo grupo partidario de la Perestroika y de la Glasnot.
En 1988 me titulé en julio a pesar de haber pasado el SMA. En la vida militar me enviaron como represalia a la provincia de Las Tunas. Como no había presupuesto para los psicólogos me enviaron de regreso para mi provincia, donde abrieron una convocatoria por concurso para profesor de Psicología, en la facultad de ISP “Félix Varela”, pero no se me permitió ejercer como profesor universitario, por no ser confiable políticamente.
Ejercí como Psicólogo Clínico en el policlínico comunitario del municipio Camajuaní “Octavio de la Concepción y de la Pedraja”. De allí fui expulsado en 1989, siendo el Secretario General de Unión Jóvenes Comunista, UJC, por oponerme al fusilamiento del General de División, Arnaldo Ochoa Sánchez. De ahí fui trasladado hacia el Hospital Pediátrico “José Martí” de Sancti Spíritus. Allí cree la Sala de Salud Mental y la Clínica del Adolescente de ese hospital.
En 1991, se me informó por la Dirección Provincial de Salud, en Sancti Spíritus, que a pesar de mis logros científicos, no se me otorgaría casa por no ser confiable políticamente.
Me trasladé hacia Ciudad de La Habana para el Hospital Pediátrico “Pedro Borrás”. Allí en 1993, emplacé al Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, ante la prensa extranjera, pidiéndole que se comprometiera ante la misma de que cumpliera su promesa hecha ante los trabajadores de este hospital en reconstrucción, de reabrir el mismo a los seis meses, por lo que Fidel montó en cólera. Por esta acción, los compañeros de trabajo me eligen Secretario General del Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Salud.
En 1995, ante la corrupción de la Directora del hospital y miembro del Comité Central en ese momento, que se apropiaba de las donaciones de la Unión Europea, la denuncié ante la unidad de la PNR de L y Malecón y fui a dar con mis huesos a la cárcel de “Valle Grande” en La Habana por un año y ocho meses. Se me acusó de varias cosas, entre las que estaba la Tenencia Ilegal de Armas de Fuego, todas sin fundamento jurídico.
La Secundaria Básica la realicé en la escuela “José Antonio Echeverría”, en calle Independencia y Juan Bruno Zayas. Al terminar noveno grado continué estudios en la escuela militar “Camilo Cienfuegos”, que en aquel momento estaba en el Km. 7, de la carretera a Camajuaní.
Pertenecí al equipo de baloncesto participando en los “Juegos Escolares”, como defensor y atacador del equipo 11-12 y 15-16 y sustituto de Leonardo “Maravilla” Pérez. Al terminar el 12 grado en 1980, en el segundo semestre, fui movilizado hacia La Habana como precadete para estudiar una carrera del MINFAR en la 5ta División, que comprendía los cadetes que iban a estudiar Inteligencia y Contrainteligencia de Tropas Especiales.
Fui ubicado en la unidad militar de Barbosa, en la Autopista del Mediodía, actual Instituto de Policiología “Capitán Eliseo Reyes”. Formé parte de las Tropas de Apoyo a la Custodia de la Embajada del Perú, del Batallón de Seguridad Personal y Batallón de Seguridad a Sedes Diplomáticas, custodié La Casa Central de las FAR, actual Hotel Comodoro, Batallón de Protección a la Valla de gallos en Managua, frecuentada por generales y comandantes de la Revolución, perteneciente al comandante Guillermo García Frías.
Fui al polígono de entrenamiento de tropas especiales en “El Cacho”, Pinar del Río, con entrenadores chinos, coreanos y vietnamitas. En Noviembre de 1980 partí hacia Angola. Fuimos destacados en el sur en las cercanías de la ciudad de Huambo, en la localidad de Piñeiro, bajo las órdenes del coronel Antonio Enrique Luzón Battle, con 5 batallones de Lucha Antiguerrillera de Tropas Especiales.
Fui asignado al Batallón de Tropas Especiales para formar parte de los Comandos de Demolición Penetración y Sabotaje subordinados directamente al Ministro de las FAR. En estas funciones realicé once incursiones en la retaguardia de la UNITA, en las cuales recibí 5 condecoraciones y 11 diplomas, ocupados por la DSE en la primera prisión en 1995
En las penetraciones recibí dos heridas de bala una en la pierna izquierda y la otra en la columna vertebral, la segunda bala fue amortiguada por los objetos que estaban dentro de la mochila.
Regresé a Cuba en 1981, estuve tres meses de vacaciones. En agosto de 1981, partí hacia la antigua URSS. Allí estuve como cadete en la Academia de Desembarco Aéreo de la ciudad de Tambov, en las cercanías de Moscú 280 Km. Allí con entrenamiento de vietnamitas, coreanos y chinos, además de entrenadores rusos, en una práctica por negligencia del oficial en rasos fui contaminado por un gas neuroparalizante, el cual me produjo crisis de epilepsia y fui evacuado hacia Moscú y al poco tiempo al Hospital Naval de La Habana.
Allí me mantuve ingresado durante varios meses, haciéndome estudios clínicos y finalmente se me dio la baja militar por ser mi enfermedad incompatible con la vida militar. En septiembre de 1983, matriculé en la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Central de las Villas. Fui dirigente de la FEU, en la esfera deportiva y en 1986 estuve a punto de ser expulsado, pues el DSE me identificó dentro de un grupo seguidores de Freud y por ser este mismo grupo partidario de la Perestroika y de la Glasnot.
En 1988 me titulé en julio a pesar de haber pasado el SMA. En la vida militar me enviaron como represalia a la provincia de Las Tunas. Como no había presupuesto para los psicólogos me enviaron de regreso para mi provincia, donde abrieron una convocatoria por concurso para profesor de Psicología, en la facultad de ISP “Félix Varela”, pero no se me permitió ejercer como profesor universitario, por no ser confiable políticamente.
Ejercí como Psicólogo Clínico en el policlínico comunitario del municipio Camajuaní “Octavio de la Concepción y de la Pedraja”. De allí fui expulsado en 1989, siendo el Secretario General de Unión Jóvenes Comunista, UJC, por oponerme al fusilamiento del General de División, Arnaldo Ochoa Sánchez. De ahí fui trasladado hacia el Hospital Pediátrico “José Martí” de Sancti Spíritus. Allí cree la Sala de Salud Mental y la Clínica del Adolescente de ese hospital.
En 1991, se me informó por la Dirección Provincial de Salud, en Sancti Spíritus, que a pesar de mis logros científicos, no se me otorgaría casa por no ser confiable políticamente.
Me trasladé hacia Ciudad de La Habana para el Hospital Pediátrico “Pedro Borrás”. Allí en 1993, emplacé al Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, ante la prensa extranjera, pidiéndole que se comprometiera ante la misma de que cumpliera su promesa hecha ante los trabajadores de este hospital en reconstrucción, de reabrir el mismo a los seis meses, por lo que Fidel montó en cólera. Por esta acción, los compañeros de trabajo me eligen Secretario General del Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Salud.
En 1995, ante la corrupción de la Directora del hospital y miembro del Comité Central en ese momento, que se apropiaba de las donaciones de la Unión Europea, la denuncié ante la unidad de la PNR de L y Malecón y fui a dar con mis huesos a la cárcel de “Valle Grande” en La Habana por un año y ocho meses. Se me acusó de varias cosas, entre las que estaba la Tenencia Ilegal de Armas de Fuego, todas sin fundamento jurídico.
5.3.10
Para os que se interessam pelo Sul do Sudão
STATEMENT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF JUBA ON THE SECURITY INCIDENT INVOLVING BAKHITA RADIO
March 5, 2010
This statement goes to all those concerned and to the public in general.
As most of you might have heard on Wednesday March 3, 2010 at 10:00 am the Security stormed Bakhita Radio, closed the radio premises, stopped the broadcasting for about an hour, harassed, intimidated the personnel and took the directress to the Security Office.
There has been no explanation why Bakhita was summoned by the Security for an alleged mistake committed by another station. Why Bakhita Radio?
The Administration of the Archdiocese of Juba strongly condemns this act and in the strongest terms advices those concerned to follow proper procedures.
Nobody is above the law. If the Radio has surpassed its mandate, the situation should be referred to the Administration of the Archdiocese of Juba.
The Pastoral letter of the Archbishop issued on the first Sunday of Lent condemns the use of intimidation, harassment and manipulation at these crucial times of campaigns and elections.
We felt offended by the way the Directress of Bakhita Radio was taken from her office to the car under police escort to the Security Office.
The Catholic Church and Bakhita Radio have no political affiliation and take no sides with any political party. We will not accept church personnel and institutions to be treated as criminals.
We want to put it clear that any grievances or allegations concerning security or law impeachment involving church personnel should be treated with notice to the Administration of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba. This is the way the Church works.
It is very regrettable that individuals, who come in the name of security, take the law into their hands to harass and intimidate.
We want to discourage in the strongest possible terms the behavior of some individuals who seem to have targeted our radio because of its prophetic stand and the role it plays in the life of the people.
Bakhita Radio is not the enemy. It rather complements what the Government is doing. The radio of the Church is at the service of reconciliation.
www.sudancatholicradio.net
March 5, 2010
This statement goes to all those concerned and to the public in general.
As most of you might have heard on Wednesday March 3, 2010 at 10:00 am the Security stormed Bakhita Radio, closed the radio premises, stopped the broadcasting for about an hour, harassed, intimidated the personnel and took the directress to the Security Office.
There has been no explanation why Bakhita was summoned by the Security for an alleged mistake committed by another station. Why Bakhita Radio?
The Administration of the Archdiocese of Juba strongly condemns this act and in the strongest terms advices those concerned to follow proper procedures.
Nobody is above the law. If the Radio has surpassed its mandate, the situation should be referred to the Administration of the Archdiocese of Juba.
The Pastoral letter of the Archbishop issued on the first Sunday of Lent condemns the use of intimidation, harassment and manipulation at these crucial times of campaigns and elections.
We felt offended by the way the Directress of Bakhita Radio was taken from her office to the car under police escort to the Security Office.
The Catholic Church and Bakhita Radio have no political affiliation and take no sides with any political party. We will not accept church personnel and institutions to be treated as criminals.
We want to put it clear that any grievances or allegations concerning security or law impeachment involving church personnel should be treated with notice to the Administration of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba. This is the way the Church works.
It is very regrettable that individuals, who come in the name of security, take the law into their hands to harass and intimidate.
We want to discourage in the strongest possible terms the behavior of some individuals who seem to have targeted our radio because of its prophetic stand and the role it plays in the life of the people.
Bakhita Radio is not the enemy. It rather complements what the Government is doing. The radio of the Church is at the service of reconciliation.
www.sudancatholicradio.net
Departamento de Estado preocupado com a Nigéria
Nigeria is very important to the region, the continent, and to the United States, yet it remains unsettled as a result of President Yar’Adua’s uncertain medical condition. Since his return home from Saudi Arabia, President Yar’Adua has not been seen publicly or met with members of his cabinet or any of his country’s key political leaders, generating additional unease about the stability of the country and physical capacity of the president to lead the government. In a modern democracy, senior cabinet members and legislative leaders have a right to know the health status of their president and so do Nigeria’s citizens.
In President Yar’Adua’s absence, we applaud the Nigerian leaders who have taken steps to restore confidence in the country’s political system while adhering to democratic principles. We welcome Acting President Jonathan’s commitments on electoral reform, anti-corruption, post-Amnesty programs in the Niger Delta, and justice for the perpetrators of sectarian violence and extra-judicial killings.
As Nigeria deals with its current political crisis, it is essential for the country’s leaders to avoid any actions that will imperil Nigeria’s last ten years of democratic progress as well as the accomplishments that have been achieved under civilian rule. Nigerians have a right to expect their civilian and military leaders to work through their country’s democratic institutions, ensuring that the good of the many triumphs over the ambitions of the few.
In President Yar’Adua’s absence, we applaud the Nigerian leaders who have taken steps to restore confidence in the country’s political system while adhering to democratic principles. We welcome Acting President Jonathan’s commitments on electoral reform, anti-corruption, post-Amnesty programs in the Niger Delta, and justice for the perpetrators of sectarian violence and extra-judicial killings.
As Nigeria deals with its current political crisis, it is essential for the country’s leaders to avoid any actions that will imperil Nigeria’s last ten years of democratic progress as well as the accomplishments that have been achieved under civilian rule. Nigerians have a right to expect their civilian and military leaders to work through their country’s democratic institutions, ensuring that the good of the many triumphs over the ambitions of the few.
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