Sudanese Bishop: Violence won't halt quest for independence

(April 08, 2011) A Sudanese bishop is affirming that the violence that has claimed hundreds of lives in the country will not impede plans for the independence of South Sudan. Auxiliary bishop Daniel Adwok of Khartoum said there were reports of hundreds of deaths in recent weeks due to conflicts between rebels and the army of South Sudan, as that region prepares to become the 54th independent African state in July. Speaking to the Catholic charity “Aid to the Church in Need” Bishop Adwok noted a surge in violence in the aftermath of the January referendum, in which 98% of voters in Southern Sudan chose to become independent from the north. The prelate affirmed that the violent incidents will impede progress but it will not wash away their wish to acquire independence. The bishop warned that unless the Sudanese government addresses the "root causes" of the conflict, it will become widespread later on. The Auxiliary bishop of Khartoum also stressed the need for aid for thousands of refugees moving south, with some 750,000 people expected to arrive in South Sudan before August.