The Muslim community in Eastern Equatoria State last Tuesday demanded that South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF) soldiers occupying mosques in Torit main barracks must vacate those places of worship.
The statement was made during a get-together dinner to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan with the aim of strengthening the positive influence of religion and the faith of believers in the values of unity, equality and peaceful co-existence. The dinner also called for effective service delivery to the local population.
Sheikh Awad Omar Okot, the Secretary General of the Islamic Council in Eastern Equatoria, while addressing the gathering, appealed to the government to evacuate the soldiers occupying mosques in Torit.
“We have a problem in the main mosque. Some people have built on the northern side. It is common knowledge that it is now allowed to build near or on land belonging to a church, school or mosque. These lands were designed not to have any close neighbours. We need our mosques back and the land that people have built on them already. There are people sleeping in the mosque that is inside the barracks. We are asking the Deputy Governor to address this issue. The mosque was built so that Muslim soldiers can have a place to pray. Other people come from Naivasha to pray there, too,” narrated Sheikh Awad Omar Okot.
Eastern Equatoria State Deputy Governor Mary Alphonse Lodira said she was disappointed to learn that soldiers were occupying the mosque. She promised to engage the state Council of ministers to ensure that armed forces vacate all mosques, churches and schools in the state.
“Indeed, this is just a show of brute force. How did this happen, and who allowed it to happen? I will share this issue with the Council so that we see who are these people coming to build near the Church or Mosque. It is wrong for members of the armed forces to come with their families and forcefully occupy places of worship. It is wrong. Places of worship should remain free so that all people can access them at any time and worship,” asserted Deputy Governor Mary Alphonse.
Fr. John Opi, while reading the statement of Catholic Bishop Emmanuel Bernandino Lowi, expressed commitment to working with Muslim communities for peace and unity in the State.
He said realizing durable peace in the State is a collective responsibility of all religious institutions.
“We are children of Abraham because children of Abraham believe in one God. With this in mind, since we are all sons and daughters of Abraham, we must work together, live together and socialize together. Children of Abraham are always children with justice. We should always work to ensure justice prevails in our communities. Sons and daughters of Abraham believe in peace because Muslims and Christians pray for peace, so all of us should join hands together in working for peace, unity and prosperity among our communities in Eastern Equatoria,” he stated in his sermon.
The dinner was organized by the Torit office of the Islamic Council of Eastern Equatoria State. In attendance were senior national and state government officials, religious leaders, youth, women and Non-Governmental Organisation representatives.
According to officials, mosques in the main barracks have been occupied by armed forces since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.