The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion who is visiting South Sudan with a delegation of church leaders from England on Monday reiterated the Canterbury’s commitment towards consolidating sustainable peace and reconciliation to fast-track the realization of free, fair, and credible elections next year.
Speaking to the press, Bishop Anthony Poggo, said he paid a courtesy call to Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil to brief him about his visit and to discuss the impact of the joint visit of Pope Francis, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Moderator of the Church of Scotland Iain Greenshields.
“It is a courtesy call to brief him on our visit to the country. We discussed the impact the joint visit of the Pope, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland had on the country,” he stated. “We also wanted to hear from him how things are, the state of affairs in his state, and also the preparations for elections,” he stated “This is an important step because we want to continue to support this country in prayer.”
“The Anglican Communion continues to follow what is happening in South Sudan as our desire is for peace to prevail but also for peaceful, fair elections to happen in this country,” Bishop Poggo added.
For his part, Derick Derickson, the spokesperson in the office of the Governor of Central Equatoria State, said Governor Adil appreciated the role the vital and tireless role the Anglican Communion plays in making sure there is sustainable peace in South Sudan.
‘’The governor commended the tremendous role that the Anglican Communion and church organizations are playing in the country as per propagating messages for peace and unity and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to work together with the religious leaders for the development of the country,” he said. About the fourth coming elections, the governor also reiterated the need for the religious leaders to continue supporting the government in its preparatory efforts.”
Bishop Poggo who traveled from Canterbury in the United Kingdom was accompanied by key members of the Anglican Communion ahead of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) House of Bishops meeting expected to start later this week.