"As the world's attention is focused on Syria, Bishop Andudu's letter is a powerful reminder to President Obama that the people of Sudan continue to be plagued by government-sponsored crimes against humanity." -- Faith J.H. McDonnell, IRD Religious Liberty Director

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org 

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- President Obama should intervene in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, according to a prominent Anglican bishop who is also a survivor of attacks in the region.

Bishop Andudu Adam Elnail of the Nuba Mountains of Sudan sent an open letter to President Obama today asking for "prompt action to save those still alive" in the Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile and Darfur, areas of Sudan that have been under attack by the government for years.

"As a victim and survivor of genocide, I would like to remind your respected office that great effort is needed to end the deaths and displacement and restore peace to our community, which has suffered for so many years," wrote Bishop Andudu. "Please address the humanitarian crisis in the Nuba Mountains and use your position as leader of the free world, not only to bring attention to our situation, but to cause prompt action to save those still alive."

Full text of Andudu's letter is viewable at actforsudan.org

"Our people feel as though the world has forgotten them. We wonder why you have not acted to end our people's suffering or that of the people of Darfur, who are still suffering and whose plight is getting worse," Andudu wrote. "We continue to be bombed from the air daily. Bombs land on farms and schools, churches and mosques, clinics and markets. Innocent civilians, women and children, are killed carrying on their daily lives."

IRD Religious Liberty Program Director Faith J.H. McDonnell commented:

"President Obama continues to oversee a disastrous approach to the ongoing genocide in Sudan. This approach has failed to prevent the tragic loss of countless lives and the mass displacement and starvation of countless more innocent people.

"President Obama should immediately instruct the National Security Council and Ambassador Donald Booth, newly appointed Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, to develop a new pro-democracy and civilian protection-oriented policy on Sudan. Unless President Obama acts now to protect innocent civilians from their genocidal government, he will ultimately be remembered for his stained legacy on genocide."