Sudan fears a return to guns, says Bishop

(May 27,2010) In Sudan, the bishop of El Obeid is expressing concern that political tension in Sudan could easily spark a return to violence. Bishop Macram Gassis told a catholic charity organisation “Aid to the Church in Need,” that currently the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army and the Sudanese military in Khartoum are arming themselves. He said it needs just one single shot to explode and we will go back to the bush, where many people lived miserably during the country's 21-year civil war." Political tension has been increasing since the April 26 victory of Omar al-Bashir in the country's presidential election.
“Aid to the Church in Need” noted that the local Church leaders are concerned that the new president is still driven by a vision of an Islamist state ruled under Islamic Sharia law. It added that this vision contradicts the aspirations of South Sudan, which is semi-autonomous, to separate, forming the world's newest country, which is due to be decided in a 2011 referendum.
The aid agency reported that Catholic bishops are observing signs that the country may be returning to war, as tension builds surrounding the upcoming referendum. Aid to the Church in Need is teaming with the Catholic Radio and Television Network to draw attention to Sudan's plight.