Sudan history
Sudan is Africa's largest country and it the tenth-largest country in the world. Bordered by nine other countries, it plays a key role in both the African and Arab worlds.
During the period of colonialism, the British administration governed the north and the south separately.
But in 1954, at the end of British rule, Arab north and African south were unified as one country.
That decision however failed to bring about the desired unity and the country plunged into almost 40 years of bloody civil war: a conflict that cost around 2.5 million lives.
The bitter fighting finally ended in 2005 with the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which sought to create two systems of governance within a single nation state.
The CPA gave the south political autonomy for 6 years, to be followed in 2011 by a referendum to decide whether or not it should become an independent country.
It is this referendum which is taking place at thew moment.
Some in the South believe that the North has taken more than its fair share of oil and other revenues over the past six years.
There are also deep concerns over violence aimed at southerners as well as the failure of the North to meet its political obligations under the CPA, including a 2008 census and national elections in 2010.
The situation was complicated further by the outbreak of violence in the western region of Darfur in late 2003.
Sudanese President Omar Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for his government's role in the crisis, but thus far, has not faced arrest or trial.
The referendum
The referendum will allow the people of South Sudan to choose whether to separate from the north and form a new independent country or remain as one country with the north.
Most observers believe th
at if the vote is fair, the southern people will elect to secede and form their own nation.
Whatever the result a number of key issues will need to be addressed including oil revenue, borders, access to and use of the Nile, national debt repayments to the World Bank, and the recognition of the religious and civil rights of southerners living in the north and vice versa.
A further referendum is also due then on the future of the oil-rich territory of Abyei which sits on the border between the North and South.
The Church
The Episcopal Church of Sudan is a member Church of the Anglican Communion.
It claims more than 4 million members and has its headquarters in Juba, the most important city in the South.
The Episcopal Church of Sudan is a significant voice in the life of Sudan.
The Episcopal Church is neither pro- nor anti-secession, but rather pro peace and pro the right of self-determination.
The Church is therefore seeking to ensure that the referendum which started on 9 January is carried out with due process, fairness and integrity.
The Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, Most Revd Daniel Deng Bul, is working very hard to achieve this.
Archbishop Deng met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, on October 7.
A report of their meeting and the subsequent press conference can be found here.
With thanks
This report includes material from the following websites: