Sudan: <b>December 17, 2000</b>

December 17, 2000

We didn't find this reported anyplace except by AFP, but it's a telling example of the complicated role religion plays in the Sudan's on-going civil war. The Sudan government (Khartoum) has complained to Holland's charge d'affaires in Sudan. Sources in Holland (associated with the Dutch Christian broadcasting organization, NCRV) are helping finance the "New Sudan Council of Churches" radio station. The Khartoum government says the Christian station is linked to the SPLA. Supporters of the station say it will focus on human rights, health issues, and peace. (One also supposes it will feature Christian religious broadcasting - which would be anathema to the Islamist radicals in Khartoum.) The supporters do say the station will be politically neutral and will not broadcast anti-government information. The Khartoum government has vacillated between allowing Western religious organizations conduct relief operations in the south and accusing the same organizations of providing military aid to the SPLA and other rebel organizations.

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