Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - SUDAN: Violence spreads fear among Christians

3rd September 2009

Thousands of civilians have fled after fresh attacks by the rebel group the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Sudan's remote western Equatoria region.

Two people died and three others were injured when the LRA carried out a series of attacks in Ezo district, near the Sudanese border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on 12 August. It has also been reported that the rebel group abducted ten girls from a local church, ransacked and torched homes and stole food. They also struck in Bereamburu village, burning a local church and health centre and raiding medical supplies.

Local authorities report that up to 5,000 internally displaced people have fled from Ezo and surrounding areas. The UN estimates that hundreds of thousands of people have fled homes and villages in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo because of the LRA since mid-2008.

There is widespread panic and people are too scared to return to the rural areas to cultivate their fields or send their children to school in case the LRA attacks. In some areas the UN has suspended humanitarian work, despite medical and food resources being stretched in areas to which the people have fled. Life is extremely difficult for people in terms of food, shelter, health, clean water and security.

Recent reports suggest that on Saturday, 29 August, there was an attack in Jonglei State, where over 40 people, including women and children, were killed or injured, some very seriously with gunshot wounds and broken bones. Among the dead was a senior church leader who was shot as he led the morning service at his church in Wernyol.

Suggested Prayer Points:

• Pray for the congregation of the church leader who was murdered while leading a service.
  
  
• Pray for those who have been forced to flee their homes following the attacks by the LRA. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless His people in this region and that, despite the loss of church buildings, Christians in Sudan will continue to meet and worship Him.

Source: Barnabas Fund