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Churches express concern on internally displaced persons and South Sudan
GENEVA – Strong concerns were expressed by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee over the increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the on-going conflict in South Sudan in statements adopted by the committee on 12 February, during its meeting in Bossey, Switzerland.
A statement by the WCC Executive Committee notes an alarming trend of an increase in the number of IDPs, especially as a result of the escalation of violence last year in Syria, the Central African Republic and South Sudan.
The executive committee affirms that “all persons, including those internally displaced, have the right to freedom of movement and residence and should be protected against being arbitrarily displaced”.
The statement calls on the governments to fulfil their responsibility in providing assistance to IDPs and implementing policies to protect their human rights.
The statement acknowledges the UNHCR Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement as an important international framework for the protection of IDPs. It requests the international community to strengthen their efforts in addressing “long-term displacement situations, and the responsibilities of states”.
The WCC Executive Committee also adopted a Minute on the situation of South Sudan strongly condemning the recent violence in the world’s newest country.
Speaking on the political crisis in South Sudan which started on 15 December 2013, the Minute regrets the loss of lives. The document calls for “immediate cessation of hostilities”, urging “all warring parties to respect, honour and implement in good faith the cease-fire agreement” signed on 23 January in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The document also urges “all stakeholders to recommit themselves to a sustained and long-term process of reconciliation and healing, in order to build confidence among citizens, restore trust and to promote peace”.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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