6 January 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012 marks a year since South Sudan held its peaceful referendum on a potential split with Sudan.
Seen by many as a ‘turning point’ in the history of Sudan, 99 per cent of south Sudanese people voted in favour of splitting and on 9 July 2011, South Sudan declared independence and became the world’s youngest country.
People across the world prayed for this event, that it would pass peacefully and that both sides would accept the result. ‘I don’t know of any time that people prayed like they did then,’ says Bishop Poggo, who heads up one of Tearfund’s partners in South Sudan, ‘I want to say thank you to all those who prayed.’
Six months on, there are still many things to pray for. More than 346,000 people have returned to South Sudan since October 2010 and more are likely to follow. The government faces the challenge of reintegrating them into society, while dealing with issues of nation building, tribal conflicts and improving basic services for citizens.
Tearfund works directly in South Sudan, operating in drought and flood-prone areas that suffered greatly during the civil war. We also work with seven partners across the country, undertaking a variety of humanitarian and development projects.
- Please continue to pray for a peaceful and stable nation. Pray especially for South Sudan’s leaders: for wisdom in dealing with ongoing insecurity.
- Remember those who have returned to South Sudan: ask that God will bless work to meet their needs and reintegrate them into communities.
- Pray for South Sudan’s poorest people, in regions where Tearfund and our partners work, and across South Sudan. Ask that this support will help to strengthen the new nation and be shaped by local priorities and aspirations.