By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Council of Churches has urged political leaders participating in the ongoing Tumaini Peace Talks in Nairobi, Kenya, to prioritize the needs of the South Sudanese people and avoid prioritizing personal interests.
In a Press Release obtained by this Publication, the religious leaders emphasized that the Tumaini Peace Talks should serve as a beacon of hope for a nation plagued by years of conflict.
They stressed that the suffering of the South Sudanese people demands a genuine commitment to peace and justice from all parties involved.
“We categorically reject war as a means of resolving differences,” the statement read. “As a church, we strongly advocate for dialogue as the only path forward, one that fosters mutual understanding and builds consensus to address the deep-rooted issues facing the nation.”
The religious leaders called upon the leaders of various political parties to remain steadfast in their pursuit of peace and to embrace compromise for the sake of the suffering population.
“Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody,” the statement added. “The people of South Sudan have endured immense suffering, and the time has come for a renewed commitment to a just and sustainable peace.”
The Tumaini Peace Talks, mediated by the Kenyan government, aim to bring together the Transitional Government of South Sudan and holdout opposition groups to find a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict.