Sudan Christians Receive Hope for Peace as New Authority is Formed

The way to peace in war-torn southern Sudan has become clearer as former southern Sudan rebel leader John Garang was appointed the vice-president of Sudan's Khartoum central government. It has brought much hope to Sudanese Christians for the future of their nation.

In January, the fruit of the long-haul peace dialogue in Sudan was first seen when Sudan's government and southern rebels agreed on a peace treaty in Nairobi, Kenya. However, the implementation of the agreement in ending the two-decade-long civil war, which has displaced more than 2 million people and claimed 1.5 million lives, have been very slow.

International aid agencies and human rights groups have blamed the 15-nation United Nations (UN) Security Council for its indecisiveness over the treatment of the perpetrators of violence in Darfur.

The inauguration of the former rebel John Garang in Sudan's Khartoum central government on 9th July represented a new power-sharing constitution coming into effect. Under the terms of the peace deal signed in January, the south has now truly been granted a large degree of autonomy from central government as well as expanded religious and political rights.

John Garang has become the second highest leader in Sudan's central government but he is also president of the south.

Furthermore, caretaker governors have been appointed to each of the south's 10 states. As agreed in the peace deal, nine of the governors are ex-rebels and one, the leader of a formerly pro-government militia.

According to the Mission News Network (MNN), vice-president Garang is a professing Christian and gained favour of many believers. He will be governing the south for a six year interim period leading up to a promised referendum on independence.

Persecution Project's Matt Chancey said to MNN, "Garang will now rule over Southern Sudan as a type of 'one country- two systems' arrangement, sort of like Hong Kong and China. The south will not be under Sharia law."

Chancey added that the civilisation of Sudan has to be rebuild all over again after the two-decade-long civil war. This time, however, provides a golden opportunity for Christian outreach.

In Sudan, the north is predominantly Muslim while the South is almost entirely Christian. The unity between the north and south this time draws a new path to heal the deep scar between them.

"Christians...have a great opportunity now in Southern Sudan. If we can get in there now, and really help our brothers and sisters rebuild their communities, we can establish and important Christian beachhead in the Muslim world," Chancey said.