For several centuries, the people of Southern Sudan have posed a barrier to the spread of Islam from the north.  Southern Sudanese are comprised primarily of Christians and traditional tribal worshippers while Arab Muslims are the majority in the North and constitute the principal governing influence on Sudan from the capital of city of Khartoum.  When Sudan became independent of British rule on New Years day, 1956, a civil war soon erupted between the North and South which raged on until 1972.  The following 10 years of relative peace was shattered in 1983 when a new extremist government took power in Khartoum and began a renewed campaign to unite all of Sudan under Islam's strict Sharia law.  Because Sharia law was so contrary to their cultural traditions, the Southern Sudanese defiantly rejected this imposition and another war began.

This war was very complex with deep-rooted tribal conflicts, religious and ethnic persecution, outside Islamic influences and the discovery of oil in the South all contributing to the chaos.  In the end, however, the result was over 2 million Southern Sudanese killed either by direct military action or starvation, over 4 million displaced, villages and social structures destroyed, women and children enslaved and the existing church left scattered.

In January of 2005 the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed ending major hostilities between the North and South.  Though the situation is far from harmonious, there presently exists a degree of religious freedom allowing the slow process of rebuilding to begin in villages, homes and lives.  The Sudanese have suffered unimaginable tribulations, but they are a resilient and joyful people who now need a hand in regaining their independent lifestyles apart from the relief efforts which have sustained them the past 25 years. 

Note: 2010 is a very critical year for Sudan. As part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the South will be holding general elections this year in preparation for voting on a referendum in 2011 to become an independent country apart from the North. Current polling indicates over 98% of the South wish to become an independent country, but the government in the North seems to be doing what it can to complicate matters leading up to this crucial vote. Please keep this political process in your prayers during 2010 as we will endeavor to keep you informed via our newsletters and email updates.