The Church in South Sudan Leads the Way in Promoting the Role of Women and Has an Important Responsibility in Developing a Comprehensive Understanding of Peace and Reconciliation

By Manal al-Tayyar

On the 17^th of October 2017, the UN High Commissioner for Conflict Resolution and Peace addressed a letter to the international community calling for serious initiatives to be taken regarding the conflicts and problems facing South Sudan, after the deterioration of its security and the degradation of its humanitarian condition. The Assistant Secretary-General of the Office of Peacemaking of the United Nations Commission stated that the UN High Commissioner placed direct responsibility of the problems and conflicts in the country, which he describes as fabricated works, on the leaders of South Sudan, believing they can solve these problems and restore calm and peace in the country. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of reaching political positions that would keep armed groups in check, and of peace negotiations that would comprise settlements and concessions on all sides, in order to stabilize the country.

South Sudan has witnessed a significant increase in the number of armed confrontations between local armed groups whose number has increased throughout the country. This has led to various difficulties for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UN), which have prevented suffering locals from receiving humanitarian assistance for inhumane conditions, including arbitrary executions by militants, arrests and seizures, and intellectual and political persecution.

Recently, the leaders of eight African countries conducted a meeting to discuss the growth and development of economic and commercial affairs in the continent; the meeting represented the dominant trade representatives of the African continent. The meeting was led by South Sudan President Salva Kiir, who met with the other leaders with the aim of supporting organizations and bodies working in the country in their efforts towards reviving it holistically. Furthermore, the UN Commissioner, through this meeting, asked the members to pressure the conflicting parties in South Sudan into giving up their demands for the sake of the country.

The dispute in Sudan is a direct result of an old and unequal race for existing forces that seek political and economic influence in the country. Accordingly, the UN Commissioner states that any peacemaking initiatives must include all existing forces and ensure that they are all given the same political and economic opportunities. In addition, he emphasized the importance of this issue through stating that all initiatives and global support must be aimed at assisting and contributing to the construction of services and administrative institutions, provided they are circulated so as not to be a factor in the perpetuation of corruption and the acquisition of power, but rather of public ownership under the responsibility of the people.

Other news relevant to Sudan, and no less important than the security issues in the country, is the subject of female education. Statistics have shown that 73% of girls in Sudan, aged 6 to 11, do not go to school because of security threats in the country as well as economic and social problems; this has resulted in a low academic level in schools and girls that are demotivated from pursuing education.

Nonetheless, public opinion regarding the subject of girls’ education has observed a shift after results showed that working women had a positive impact on the life of the Sudanese family.

ABTS’ own ministry leaders from Sudan were kind enough to share their views on topics revolving around women’s ministry in the Church, the role of women in supporting and encouraging girls’ education, and the role of the Church in peacemaking and conflict resolution. They spoke of the recent decision of the Episcopal Church in Sudan to ordain a woman (a former graduate of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary) to the position of Pastor, emphasizing the central role of women in the Evangelical Church’s ministries in Sudan, especially in activities done through Christian institutions operating in the country. They added that the matter of girls’ education is limited only by security problems and not by social awareness, which already recognizes the importance of the role of women in society.

Nonetheless, the Church’s position on conflict resolution and peacemaking is relatively weak in Sudan, due to the absence of cooperation with government authorities. The reason for this is the Church’s tendency not to want to be involved in governmental and political matters, viewing its role rather as limited to the pastoral and spiritual aspects of the community. Thus, the Church’s role remains solely to serve the pulpit and to resolve disputes between tribes.

In light of the security situation in Sudan, and following the separation of the South from North Sudan, a large number of Sudanese Christians were displaced to Egypt. Consequently, Sudanese ministry has become quite active in the Egyptian Church, which includes Christians from different conflicting tribes. Accordingly, conflict resolution has become an important task for the Sudanese Church in Egypt, which felt the duty to build bridges of reconciliation and communication between its people in their country of asylum, in preparation for an eventual return to Sudan, where they could play an active role in the peace process.

Now that public awareness on the importance of education for girls in Sudan is increasing, it may be useful for the Church to help and support schools there and benefit from its experience in the Middle East in the early twentieth century. The establishment of educational institutions there was a priority, leaving a lasting positive impact on society. These institutions are still running, contributing to growth and development, and assisting in peacemaking by addressing the various needs of the country. In the Gospel of Mark 10:14, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them…” We must therefore provide children with the means by which they can know the Lord and be drawn to His teaching, for the Kingdom of God belongs to them.