Bishops of the Christian churches in South Sudan have addressed a message to the South Sudanese government and opposition, telling them to stop the war and end mobilization of troops for the purpose of continuing the fight.
The church leaders last week launched a reconciliation initiative under the theme ‘Different tribes, one nation.’ Vice President James Wani Igga, who heads the committee responsible for mobilizing recruits for the army, expressed reservations about the initiative.
Bishops, for their part, say they are ‘horrified’ by ongoing recruitment of more men for the war, saying that further mobilization threatens to escalate the violence rather than bring peace.
In their Pastoral Statement dated 9 April, the South Sudan Council of Churches remarked, “We are horrified by the ongoing mobilization by the conflicting parties in and outside the country and by the prospects of a looming and escalating war rather than peace.”
They further expressed deep concern at “the continuous violence, suffering, death, destruction and displacement of our people.”
“We are disheartened by the tendency of our leaders to use war and violence as a means of settling political differences, ascending to power or retaining power,” the bishops said. The bishops went on to repeat five times, “Stop the war.”
Bishops say army should defend people, constitution
The bishops further stated that they desire the national army and security forces to protect “all people” of South Sudan and the constitution.
Explaining their vision for a ‘new’ South Sudan, they said, “We want to see national army and other security forces that protect all the people of South Sudan and the constitution.”
The bishops pointed to law and respect for people as the basis for governing the society: “We want to see South Sudan where the rule of law and the constitution are respected by all and where the sovereignty of the people is paramount and their will is respected.”
Also they affirmed that they want all people to be “free from ethnic and tribal hatred.”
The statement is signed by Catholic Archbishop Paolino Lukudu, Episcopal Archbishop Daniel Deng, Africa Inland Church Archbishop Arkangelo Wani, Pentecostal Bishop Isaiah Dau, Presbyterian Moderator Peter Gai, Evangelical Presbyterian Moderator Tut Kony, Bishop Michael Taban, and Rev. Mark Akech.
Photo: Launch of the National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation, 5 April 2014
Related coverage:
Independent peace initiative launched in Juba (7 Apr.)
Hundreds of SPLA recruits head from Juba to training camps (24 March)
Youth urged to join South Sudan organized forces (4 March)