YAOUNDÈ, Cameroon – Church leaders from diverse denominations in Africa have united to urge the African Union, governments, and regional organizations to promptly intervene and prevent the recurrence of genocide in Darfur, along with other war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Through a joint statement released on June 24, various ecumenical organizations, including AMECEA and Christian bodies such as Bread for the World and the World Council of Churches, voiced their distress regarding the persistent violence and human rights abuses in the impoverished nation of Africa.
Father Antony Makunde, Secretary General of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa, and other signatories emphasized the gravity of the situation. They expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict in Darfur, which has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and the loss of numerous lives.
Father Makunde highlighted the distressing fact that the conflict shows no signs of immediate resolution. Furthermore, the involvement of military generals who were previously implicated in the 2003 genocide in Darfur has evoked haunting memories of the past, adding to the urgency of the current crisis.
The conflict in Sudan involves a power struggle between General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, currently leading the Sudanese Military, and General Mohammed Dagalo, the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Their temporary alliance formed in 2019 to overthrow the government of Omar Al-Bashir has now dissolved, as they vie for political dominance and control over their economic interests.
While their fight for control unfolds in the capital city of Khartoum, there are emerging indications that the Rapid Support Forces, originally comprised of the Janjaweed militia, are engaged in another battle in the region of Darfur.
The Janjaweed, a militia formed by former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir in 2003, brutally suppressed a non-Arab rebellion, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions. Now, the Janjaweed has resurfaced, supported by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and is inflicting violence on non-Arab populations in Darfur, raising fears of another genocide. Reports indicate a high death toll and widespread destruction, although exact figures are difficult to confirm.
Kenyan President William Ruto has denounced the war and the use of military power, citing signs of genocide in Darfur. Church leaders have expressed concerns about civilian infrastructure destruction, looting, and the use of human shields. They call for dialogue, rejecting violence and demanding sustainable solutions.
The leaders advocate for the revival of the Juba Agreement for Peace, which seeks an asymmetric federation and transitional justice. Urgently, they urge the international community, regional bodies, and governments to facilitate a return to civilian rule in Sudan, apply diplomatic pressure, engage in peace processes, and prevent further atrocities. Additionally, they emphasize the need for assistance to refugees and the creation of spaces for civil society in achieving sustainable solutions.