CRS Responds to Danforth Sudan Report

Catholic Relief Services
Wednesday, 15 May 2002

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) applauds the progress made by the United States' Special Envoy for Sudan, John Danforth, yet urges greater attention be paid to the right of self-determination and the destructive role of oil exploitation in the country. Last September, President Bush affirmed his administration's commitment to bringing peace to Sudan with former Senator Danforth's appointment. Danforth's report, presented yesterday to the Bush administration, cites progress on the willingness of both sides in the conflict to negotiate toward peace, but does not go far enough in addressing key aspects of the war and elements of a just peace.

"While CRS is encouraged by the progress toward peace in what has become the longest and deadliest conflict in the world, we are gravely concerned about continuing attacks on civilians and other grave human rights violations," says Executive Director Ken Hackett.

CRS applauds Danforth's recommendation that the United States continue high-level and direct engagement in a long-term peace process. Furthermore, CRS supports the report's call for engagement by the international community and key neighboring countries to provide pressures and incentives to achieve a just peace. The United States and others in the international community should facilitate monitoring mechanisms that will guarantee commitments made by the parties to the conflict and promote a concerted peace process. Finally, CRS praises Danforth's call for the provision of continued humanitarian and developmental assistance to the suffering people of Sudan.

The agency is concerned, however, about the limited manner in which Danforth addresses the issue of self-determination. Many Sudanese churches -- key actors within Sudanese civil society -- strongly believe that unity cannot come at the price of sacrificing justice, and that the full exercise of the right of self-determination by the people of Sudan is the only true means for promoting justice and facilitating a lasting peace. In March, Sudanese church leaders said, "The war must end in peace with justice. Our suffering people should therefore be allowed to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development."

Regarding oil in Sudan, CRS shares the report's affirmation of oil as a key issue. Many have confirmed that oil exploration and production have caused, directly and indirectly, gross human rights violations and that Sudanese government revenue from the oil industry is prolonging the war and enabling large military spending increases. CRS emphasizes, however, that oil has proved to be a catalyst for war rather than peace.

Negotiations over oil revenue-sharing agreements cannot proceed while human rights abuses using oil revenue, including attacks on civilians, continue unabated. Both the government and international oil companies operating in Sudan have a moral responsibility to ensure that oil does not contribute to conflict or repression.

Sudan has been ravaged by civil war for more than four decades. The war has claimed nearly 2 million lives and left more than 4 million Sudanese displaced and their communities, basic services, and infrastructure destroyed. Catholic Relief Services has provided assistance to communities in Sudan since 1989.

Catholic Relief Services is the official relief and development agency of the United States Catholic community. Founded in 1943, the agency provides assistance to people in more than 80 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Catholic Relief Services provides assistance on the basis of need, not race, creed or nationality.

For more information, or to contact Catholic Relief Services, see their website at: www.catholicrelief.org