The recent and unexpected official visit of an SPLA delegation to Khartoum Sudan, the first ever such visit, has once again raised hopes that there is a "light at end the tunnel" in regards to the question of signing a comprehensive peace agreement for Sudan. If the tumultuous reception that the delegation received in Khartoum is anything to go by, it indicates how much all the Sudanese people yearn for peace. It is our hope that the two sides will give the Sudanese people a Christmas or New Year gift of peace.

The concerns and questions that many Sudanese are asking are: will this be a quick fix peace accord which is as a result of external pressure? Will such peace hold for a long time, or will this be a temporary, but long cease-fire? Another concern is why is the international community taking such a keen interest at this time to see to it that the conflict in Sudan is resolved? What are the guarantees that this expected peace will indeed hold? These are genuine questions as we are dealing with issues that have divided the Sudanese people for a long time. Out of 47 years of Sudan’s independence, which was gained in 1956, this country has only had relative peace for a brief period of only eleven years, from 1972 to 1983.

Some of the concerns that have been cited above need to be addressed. If peace will be as a result of external pressure, what is it that we, the Sudanese people, would do to own and domesticate such a peace accord? lnclusivity and wide involvement of all stakeholders is one such key. Secondly, we need to build trust and confidence amongst each other. It is encouraging to see that the issues that have often led to distrust are hopefully being addressed at the peace negotiations. Some Southern Sudanese have expressed scepticism because of historical factors. Amongst this is former President Gafaar Mohammed Numery’s statement that the Addis Ababa Agreement could be abrogated, as it was neither the Bible nor the Koroan. Abel Alier’s classic book, Southern Sudan: Too Many Agreements Dishonouredoutiines some of the previous agreements that were dishonoured. What is it that is different now from the past? Will history not repeat itself? Some people have even suggested that suppose there was a military coup detat in Sudan before the end of the six years transtitionary period, what will be the fate of this agreement? These are genuine concerns that should not be swept under the carpet.

In the Biblical book of Jeremiah 13:23, he poses a rhetorical question with an expectation of a negative answer. Jeremiah’s question Is relevant to our current situation in Sudan. He asked: "Can the Ethiopian (ore Black man in some versions) change the colour of his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who ate accustomed to doing evil’. What is the way forward for us Sudanese people to begin trusting each other?

It is important that internal and external guarantees should be part of the peace process. The agreement on security arrangements is one such internal guarantee. Recentiy a group of Sudanese demonstrated in Nairobi asking that the African Union should be part of the on going peace process. This would remove some of the fears that some Sudanese people may have. The continuous involvement of the seven GAD member countries as well as the Troika countries of Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States of America is important. However Egypts initial lukewarm support to the Mackakos Protocol is a cause of concern. Apart from having the final accord signed in the White House, it will be important to have a United Nations Security Council resolution passed when a final and comprehensive peace agreement is signed.

Trust can also be built when people talk to each other. The recent meeting between Cardinal Gabriel Wako and Dr Hassan Abdallah Turabi is a welcome development. Such meetings between Christian and Moslems leaders need to be conducted regularly to cultivate trust. Christians should not think of Moslems as untrustworthy and similarly Moslems should not think of Christians as "infidels" but when politically appropriate refer to them as people of the Book. In the past we have had in one family of both Christians and Moslems who have lived well without any problems. In the recent past, we have seen families being divided along

religious lines. All Sudanese should exert efforts to promote reconciliation and harmony between its citizens. The constitution of the country should not say one thing but its implementation be different. For example, freedom of religion should be guaranteed not just in the constitution but also in practice. That is why any citizen of the country should be free to stand for any post including the presidency. Employment and promotions should not be based on religious factors but on meritocracy. It should not be based on "what you believe in" or "who you know" but should be based on "what you know" and your experience and educational qualification.

There is also the need to address the issue of the freedom of the media. For the first time since the war started in 1983, we now have an independent newspaper, the Sudan Mirror, as well as an independent radio, the Sudan Radio Service. It is important that a media policy that promotes and encourages freedom of the media is addressed during the peace talks. The media is important in enlightening the population on various social, economic, political and religious issues. For example after the signing the Machakos protocol, some people in Sudan came to me wanting to confirm the fad that a peace agreement had already been signed in Machakos. This illustrates the significance of the media to enlighten people on such issues. Freedom of the media does not mean that the government of the day would have to agree with everything that the media publishes but should tolerate alternative views. The continuous suspension of the Khartoum Monitor as well as other newspapers sends a message that the Sudan government is not ready to allow freedom of press.

As we prepare ourselves for Christmas let us remember that Jesus is referred in the Bible as the "Prince of Peace". Lers pray to Him that as we usher in the New Year, we will receive a New Year gift of comprehensive peace.

Anthony Poggo is an ordained minister in the Episcopal Church of the Sudan. He watts for a Christian organisation that serves in Sudan. The views expressed in this article are his personal views and do not reflect the views of his church and the organisation he works for.