Sudanese War Is Not Pleasant: Cleric

Sudanese citizens have been urged to avoid a return to war with the forthcoming referendum.

A Diocesan Priest from Mozambique Father Martin Maulano has denounced war, saying it brings more harm than good.

Father Maulano who serves at the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) as the Second Deputy Secretary General is attending the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ plenary in Rumbek.

He urged the Sudanese people to avoid a return to war by all means and to peacefully accept the outcome of the referendum scheduled for January 9, 2011.

He cited his own country that experienced 25 years of civil war, saying: “War is not enjoyable at all”.

“I encourage the Sudanese people to exercise their freedom during the plebiscite with the hope that there will be change, change that will bring about peace and co-existence”, said the cleric.

He, at the same time urged the Sudanese people to struggle to keep their African identity and to foster unity among themselves regardless of the results of the referendum.

In related news, a senior church official has said that the Catholic Church leaders will be neutral during the referendum campaigns.

The President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak however, said the church will insist on the paramount importance of the exercise.

Majak who is also the Bishop of Wau Diocese told Rumbek Catholic Radio on Friday that the choice for either separation or unity is the duty of every Sudanese citizen and not the church.

“The Church leaders have a duty to tell the public the importance of the referendum as it is the most important duty given to the people by God. This is a decision of a lifetime that will benefit the present and future generations”, he said.