For the past two decades, the presence of our missionaries in Malakal Diocese has been mainly in Malakal town due to the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983 – 2005) and the consequent restrictions placed on them by the civil authorities. By 1985, all the parishes in the Diocese were closed and our missionaries were confined to Malakal. Processing documentation to travel to Khartoum was a long drawn out affair. However, things began to look a bit better with the signing of the Nairobi Comprehensive Peace Agreement on 9th January 2005 between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. Southern Sudan was granted autonomy for six years to be followed by a referendum on independence in 2011. This interim period provides a great challenge to the Church: to risk going out to the rural parishes, not only to rebuild and reconstruct but also to be a beacon of hope to a people returning home to begin anew their lives which had been shattered and ravaged by years of civil unrest. The rehabilitation of the parishes remains a priority for the Diocese and our missionaries are committed to this process. While three of our missionaries remain in Malakal town, another three have reopened the parish of Tonga.
A street in the outskirts of Malakal
Malakal has seen its share of war in recent years. The clashes between Sudanese government forces and the were the most serious breach of the 2005 deal to end the Second Sudanese Civil War. At least 150 people were reportedly killed in those clashes that occurred at the end of November 2006. Following tank battles and the shelling of parts of Malakal town, inflicting high civilian casualties, fighting escalated into full trench warfare. High-level delegations from Khartoum and Juba as well as UN peacekeepers were sent to defuse the situation and a ceasefire was agreed upon with all forces returning to their original positions.
Christ the King Church at Malakiya, Malakal
In spite of this, our missionaries have weathered the storm and continue to offer their services to the church in the Diocese of Malakal. While NGO personnel and UN staff members would evacuate quickly during any upheaval or conflict, our missionaries often choose to remain with the people where they live and work. The fact that they are foreigners would not necessarily guarantee their safety.
Fr Ben Stopel and Br Franz Kristler outside the Mission House
During a recent visitation to our missionaries in Malakal by the General Superior, Fr Anthony Chantry and the Councillor for Africa, Fr Michael Corcoran, fierce fighting erupted again.
It began on Tuesday, 24th February 2009, a day after the arrival from Khartoum of General Gabriel Tang Ginye, a former militia leader who fought alongside the Sudanese army in the 1983-2005 civil war. Blamed by the South Sudanese Government for causing the first outbreak of violence in Malakal in 2006, Gabriel Tang’s presence and his refusal to leave provoked the recent clashes. About 57 people were reportedly killed with a majority of these being civilians.
For Fr Tony and Fr Michael, to be caught in a fierce fighting was indeed an unfortunate and unexpected experience. They lived through for themselves the nightmare the people had to endure amidst the uncertainty of peace and the fragility of life in this part of Sudan. They were caught in the crossfire of the frontline of the clashes and had to endure two days of uncertainty as attempts were made to take them to safety. They had to dodge stray bullets and had the most unfortunate and harrowing experience of being robbed at gunpoint by looting soldiers. They report that there were times during those two days that they thought the worst might happen.
By Thursday, 26th February, Fr Tony and Fr Michael were able to leave under UN protection and were flown out of Malakal to Juba. They are grateful to be alive and express their gratitude to all those who offered them help, support and prayers during their ordeal.
Fr Tony with Shilluk children at Arwakat village, Malakal
This is what Fr Tony has to say in response to the whole incident:
“I am always struck by the fact that where there is evil, goodness also abounds, usually in equal measure. If we are able to rally the powers of goodness together and confront the evil of our world, then I know we would overcome. This is, after all, exactly what Jesus promises.”
Newspaper Reports on the fighting in Malakal
Fr Tony’s account of his ordeal in Malakal
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