Elias Taban, Evangelical Presbyterian Bishop in Yei, said he is ready to mediate an inclusive grassroots dialogue with all armed opposition groups in Yei River State to end the ongoing suffering of South Sudanese in the country and refugee camps in neighboring countries.

Earlier this month, Bishop Taban with support from a US-based organization His Voice Global brokered a peace deal between Yei government and an armed group in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Yei town on Friday, Bishop Taban expressed his readiness to play a neutral role as a religious leader in mediating grassroots peace agreements.

“We need to have peace for the sake of our people who are suffering right now within our villages and in the refugee camps. We want this suffering to come to an end and any armed group that comes to dialogue with us, we are open because we love everybody, “said Taban.

“Whether you are with Dr. Riak Machar, Taban Deng Gai or with the government of South Sudan, we don’t have any problem with anyone. What we love is peace for our people who are suffering right now,” he added.

Meanwhile, Clement Wota, the Executive Chief of Minyori Payam in Yei River County, urged President Kiir to declare cessation of hostilities and launch the dialogue initiative to speed up the dialogue process at the grassroots level.

“The committee task with the dialogue should hurry up because our chiefs in the villages are ready to begin the process of the grassroots dialogue,” he said.

Photo: Bishop Elias Taban (Radio Tamazuj)