Swords into plowshares
About this blog
Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
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Posts with tag: southern kordofan
February 2, 2012Statement on the School Bombing in Southern Kordofan, February 2, 2012
Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
February 2, 2012
I am outraged by the Sudan Armed Forces’ heinous bombing yesterday of a school run by Samaritan’s Purse in the Nuba Mountains region of Southern Kordofan. It was the first day of school, and the campus was full of students, teachers, and families. While miraculously no one was killed, this attack—involving eight bombs dropped from the air—underscores the viciousness of Sudan’s ongoing military campaign in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
This conflict is now affecting more than 500,000 people ...
August 17, 2011
Situation in Southern Kordofan
Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Southern Kordofan, August 16, 2011
The United States welcomes the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the increasingly dire situation in Southern Kordofan. We are deeply disturbed by the reports of extrajudicial killings, attacks on civilians, mass graves, arbitrary detentions, abductions, house to house searches, forced displacements, and other clear violations of humanitarian law. We strongly support Commissioner Pillay’s recommendations, including immediate, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and ...
July 25, 2011
Concern continues for Southern Kordofan
Southern Kordofan - on the border between Sudan and South Sudan - remains an area of concern. A statement issued last Friday by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, reflects on the situation in Southern Kordofan
The United States is deeply concerned about alarming and credible allegations of violence committed by Sudan Armed Forces and aligned groups in Southern Kordofan. These include acts of extreme cruelty and abuse against civilians that, if true, may constitute crimes against humanity – extra-judicial killings, house-to-house searches, abductions, arbitrary arrests, and violence motivated by differences of religion or ethnicity.
The United ...
July 6, 2011
North-South negotiations on Sudan
Below is a press statement from Victoria Nuland, Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson, Department of State, Washington, DC
The United States is encouraged by the July 4 meeting between Sudanese President Bashir and First Vice President Kiir at the Extraordinary Session of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development on Sudan in Addis Ababa. We welcome the commitment that Sudan’s leaders made to continue negotiations on outstanding issues following South Sudan’s independence on July 9. We urge the parties to set a firm deadline – no later than the end of July – for the resolution of these issues. Leaving key ...
July 1, 2011
Please pray for . . . prayer requests from Sudan
Here are some requests for prayer from one of our partners in Sudan:
It is very encouraging to us here in Sudan to know that God's people are continuously praying for us. Please pray for:
- A stop of the bloodshed on innocent citizens in Pibor;
- Safety and protection before and during the Independence Day;
- A stop of the bombardment and massacre of Nuba people in Southern Kordofan;
- God to stop all rebels' planned attacks on Southerners;
- A stop of all evil plans to interrupt the Independence Day.
Ramadan Chan, Sudan Council of Churches
Find prayers to use or adapt ...
June 27, 2011
UN Security Council acts on Abyei, Sudan
Deeply concerned by the violence, escalating tensions and population displacement in Sudan’s Abyei region and recognizing that the situation demanded an urgent response, the Security Council today authorized the deployment of a peacekeeping force to the disputed area, which straddles Northern and Southern Sudan and is claimed by both.
Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, issued the following statement on the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1990:
This morning, the United States voted in favor of UN Security Council Resolution 1990, establishing the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). We are pleased ...
June 21, 2011
Statement by Secretary Clinton on Agreement To Withdraw Forces from the Abyei Area of Sudan
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State
Washington, DC
June 20, 2011
Read the statement on the Department of State Web site
Earlier today, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement signed an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which will reduce tensions in Abyei and improve the security and humanitarian situation on the ground. I spoke with leaders from both sides in Addis Ababa last week and I have had more phone discussions with Sudanese leaders since. I know these negotiations have not been easy. I commend both parties for resolving their differences peacefully after ...
June 20, 2011
Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council Briefing on Sudan, June 20, 201
Below is a release from the United States Mission to the United Nations, a statement by Ambassador Rice to the Security Council on the ongoing situation in Sudan.
USUN PRESS RELEASE #123
June 20, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mr. President, we welcome the news that the parties have just signed an agreement on temporary administrative and security arrangements for Abyei and the withdrawal of Sudanese Armed Forces. We are encouraged by this news. We greatly appreciate the intensive efforts of former President Thabo Mbeki and the African Union High-level Implementation Panel over the past two weeks to assist the parties ...
June 17, 2011
Update report on Sudan
Security Council Report has published an Update Report on Sudan.
Council members have been individually assessing events in Sudan—the military takeover of Abyei and the deteriorating situation in Southern Kordofan—almost on a day-to-day basis, but Council members have not formally met on Sudan since 3 June and most of the scheduled informal discussions have been repeatedly postponed. The Council next meets on Monday 20 June, where it is expected they will receive a briefing on the outcome of the Addis Ababa talks. It is possible that Council members will then negotiate a mandate and authorise a force to ...
June 10, 2011
Come Holy Spirit to the people of Sudan
Come Holy Spirit, come to the people of Sudan.
Come Holy Spirit, come to break the hold of violence.
Come Holy Spirit, come to turn the people around.
Come Holy Spirit, come to draw the people together.
Come Holy Spirit, come to build unity within diversity.
Come Holy Spirit, come to lead the people in paths of peace.
Come Holy Spirit, come to guide the people to establish justice.
Come Holy Spirit, come to the people of Sudan.
Amen.