By Yiep Joseph
Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, has called on citizens to reconcile during the Easter season.
In his Easter message to believers on Friday, Cardinal Ameyu urged people of South Sudan to forgive one another and pursue reconciliation.
“The journey toward lasting peace requires us to lay down the burdens of the past, heal the wounds of division, and build bridges of trust and mutual respect,” Cardinal Ameyu stated.
He implored citizens to abandon all forms of division that lead to hatred.
“As we celebrate Christ’s victory over death, let us be inspired to actively work for a peace that transcends political divides and ethnic differences,” Cardinal Ameyu appealed.
He reiterated the need for the public and all South Sudanese to act as agents of transformation, working to make the country a better place for everyone to live.
“Let us be agents of transformation, working towards a society where every South Sudanese citizen enjoys safety, dignity, and security,” he added.
Cardinal Ameyu urged the South Sudanese people to find inspiration in Christ’s resurrection and dedicate themselves to working for peace.
His call comes at a time when South Sudan continues to face significant challenges, including armed confrontations between some signatories to the 2018 peace agreement and the house arrest of opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
In light of this urgent situation, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, urged the South Sudan government to tackle the root causes of conflict and protect civilians.
“Protecting civilians and preventing violence requires urgent actions by authorities at the national, state, and local levels, as well as by communities, to address the root causes of the conflict and find non-violent solutions,” Mr. Haysom said while addressing the UN Security Council.
Amid ongoing political disputes and subnational violence in the country, President Kiir reassured the nation on Thursday about the country’s security and stability.
In a statement issued after meeting with SPLM Secretary-General Dr. James Wani Igga, President Kiir stated that the security situation in the country is calm.
“President Kiir assured South Sudanese that the security situation across the country is calm, expressing the government’s commitment to maintaining sustainable peace and security for the good of the nation,” noted a statement issued from the Office of the President on Thursday.