The church in South Sudan, under the umbrella of South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), wants a comprehensive peace deal in the current negotiations, adding that the people are tired of war.
The church in South Sudan, under the umbrella of South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), wants a comprehensive peace deal in the current negotiations, adding that the people are tired of war.
The South Sudanese churches conveyed their position in a statement they issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia early this month, where negotiations between the South Sudanese government and Sudan People's Liberation Movement opposition rebels are currently underway.
While appreciating the agreements reached on the cessation of hostilities and the modalities on the release of the political detainees, the church leaders have called for full implementation of the issues agreed on in good faith and encourage urgent and vigilant monitoring by IGAD.
Church leaders from diverse denominations in South Sudan expressed their appreciation to the efforts by the International Community, the African Union, IGAD and other stakeholders in working for a peaceful South Sudan.
The conflict which broke out in December last year, has cost thousands of lives, with United Nations reports saying that an estimated 716,500 people have been displaced inside South Sudan, while another 166,900 people have fled to neighbouring countries in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan.
The South Sudanese church leaders urged the parties involved in negotiations to end the war, protect civilians and support humanitarian initiatives, adding that South Sudan is one nation, sharing one identity, rich in culture, blessed by diversity, which ought to be celebrated, not resented.
“Let us, therefore, endeavour to build our nation on a strong foundation of truth, justice, reconciliation, diversity and peace. These noble values are drawn from the Gospel and they can provide a solid national foundation for our new republic,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed the urgency for peace in South Sudan. In a recent meeting, WCC called for immediate cessation of hostilities, asking all warring parties to respect, honour and implement in good faith the cease-fire agreement.
The WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit also expressed his concerns over violence in the country in his letter to the South Sudanese president Salva Kiir Mayardit.
“The people of South Sudan have suffered for several decades and are now longing for peace and justice. We pray that the situation will quickly normalize and that peace will prevail again soon,” Tveit said in a letter to Kiir following the conflict in December.
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