The Sudanese Catholic Bishops released a statement on July 25 calling for a more rigorous implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, as well as more concerted efforts for peace throughout Sudan. The statement was openly critical of the widespread corruption within Sudan and the “minimal efforts being exerted by the Government to enforce law and order.

The Bishops called on the Government to recognize and respect the Church by protecting its ministry efforts and making reparations for the land that has been unlawfully seized by the government from the Church.

The statement expressed even more frustration at the Sudanese Government’s “outright rejection… of some of the aspects of the CPA,” including the Protocol on Abyei, the call for shared power of the administration of Khartoum, and the formation of Independent Commissions. Further, the Bishops communicate their desire for greater military presence in the interest of security. They especially voiced their support for a UN Peace-Keeping Force in Darfur and for “more efforts towards the peaceful settlement to the conflict [caused by pro-government militias and the Lord’s Resistance Army] so that peace could prevail in northern Uganda and Southern Sudan.”