Salisbury diocese has had a link with the Church of the Sudan for over 40 years. The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Revd Nicholas Holtam, has called for renewed prayer for Sudan after an upsurge of violence in Jonglei State, South Sudan.
In a report in The Salibury Journal, Bishop Holtam spoke of the tribal violence in and around Pibor County which has left more than 1,000 people dead since August and at least 20,000 people made refugees in the last few days.
The last week has seen government troops and UN soldiers overwhelmed by tribal gunmen.
Pibor County was occupied until it was recaptured by the government on Monday There are reports that 6,000 members of the Lou-Nuer ethnic group have moved into Murle territory setting fire to towns and raiding cattle.
Thousands of civilians have already been displaced to by the conflict.
The Diocese of Salisbury has been linked with the Episcopal Church of the Sudan for nearly 40 years and several exchange visits have taken place.
Bishop Holtam said that that the Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, Dr Daniel Deng, has been involved in mediation between the tribes and he now intends to travel across Jonglei to urge reconciliation and an end to violence.
“His aim is to get people talking to one another, to see what they want from each other, and so get them living together in peace,” Bishop Holtam said.
“South Sudan desperately needs the interest of the international community. Its people need our prayers because this is a situation that could spiral out of control.”