Sudan: Government troops accused of witholding food aid from Christians
Jul 08 2008
Postings >> Sudan

Government troops in Sudan are accused of withholding emergency food aid from Christians if they refuse to become Muslims.

German aid agency Hilfsaktion Martyrerkirche (HMK) has alleged that Christians are being forced to recite the Islamic statement of faith in mosques in return for food and water. Those who refuse go hungry, according to HMK director Manfred Müller.

HMK believes that several water centres are controlled by government troops representing the Arab and Muslim north of Sudan.  Southerners are mainly Christian or animist.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the disputed north-south border area around Abyei, the scene of fierce fighting between northern and southern troops in recent weeks.

But in a positive step, northern and southern partners in the national unity government have now agreed to take the border row to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the BBC reports.

(Sources: BBC, BosNewsLife)

Thank God that politicians have agreed to submit to an international arbiter to resolve the thorny issue of north-south border demarcation around Abyei.

Pray that food aid will be distributed fairly to all in need, regardless of their faith.