Light another candle to remember (forgotten) Sudan this Advent
Reflections
“The situation in Sudan has worsened considerably this month and yet Sudan remains largely forgotten,” says The Rev’d Rebecca
Please be aware that this reflection contains graphic and distressing content.
For 19 months a civil war has been happening in Sudan, with more than 24,000 civilians killed, including people known to me and my parishioners.
Many aid workers and advocates have been critical of the United Nations and how slow it has been to respond.
Aid workers say this war has created the world’s worst displacement crisis, with many thousands at risk of famine.
The situation in Sudan has worsened considerably this month, yet Sudan remains largely forgotten.
Other than the travel warning on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website, at the time of writing the Australian Government is being silent — this makes me feel frustrated, worthless and heartbroken and as though Sudanese people don’t matter.
While the Australian Government seems especially focussed on the Pacific, our elected leaders need to understand that they also represent thousands of Australian Sudanese constituents, and our people are being butchered.
Civilians are being targeted by armed men who enter villages and towns and kill.
Rape is being “weaponised” to exert power and control, to harm and humiliate women and to emasculate men.
Recently a father died by suicide after he was forced to watch his teenage daughters raped and beaten by armed men in his home.
Recently several women from the one family were raped — the women then killed themselves.
I have read online and heard stories that mothers are begging the armed men to rape them rather than their daughters.
Boys are also being targeted. Recently a large group of boys was butchered.
What I share here are just a few stories.
Colonialism planted the seed for all this to happen in Sudan.
It seems to me that the darker the skin of people being harmed, the less many light-skinned people care.
While some parts of the mainstream media make the war about a conflict of people of different faiths, the current problems are rooted in British colonialism.
As I have written before, despite what people may read or hear in the media, the war in Sudan is not about religion. In 2021 when my Anglican priest father was murdered — at a time when the unrest, that led to the current war, started — Muslims and Christians gathered for his funeral. My priest father was beloved by the whole community.
What is happening in Sudan is a humanitarian crisis rooted in colonialism — and I ask all anglican focus readers to help in some way.
Justice Unit note: Five things anglican focus readers can do to help:
- Remember Sudanese people every week in your Sunday service intercessions.
- Attend a Christmas dinner on Saturday 7 December 2024 between 6pm and 8pm in the Christ Church, Yeronga hall. Entry is via raffle ticket purchase, with all funds going to people in Sudan.
- If possible, please take up a collection in your parish/ministry or donate personally for the thousands displaced in Sudan by contacting the treasurer for The Parish of Yeronga, James Stephen via treasurer@anglicanchurchsq.org.au.
- Learn about the history of Sudan from trusted sources, such as Amnesty International, or leaders like The Rev’d Rebecca.
- Contact your Federal Members of Parliament calling for the Australian Government to scale up humanitarian assistance.
Editor’s note: If you are in immediate danger, phone Triple Zero (000) or go to the emergency department at your local hospital.
If you have recently experienced sexual assault, rape or sexual violence, get yourself to a safe place as soon as possible and:
- phone the police and/or ambulance on Triple Zero (000)
- go to the emergency department at your local hospital
- phone the Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120 (7.30am to 11.30pm, 7 days a week).
Please visit the Queensland Government website for more information.
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