By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Religious leaders in South Sudan have called on citizens to turn to faith for solace and peace amid increasing violence and insecurity across the country.
This plea follows recent clashes in Western Equatoria, Warrap, and Upper Nile States between Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) and South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
Members of the clergy state that the ongoing tension continues to plague the nation, casting a dark shadow over its fragile peace.
As Christians worldwide observed Lent, church leaders, in a press statement issued yesterday, urged South Sudanese to turn to God, the source of all peace, and seek His guidance and blessing for South Sudan.
“The time has come, and God’s Kingdom is near. Change the way you think and act, and believe the Good News. Fill the hearts of all South Sudanese and guide us towards the path of unity, justice, and lasting peace,” the statement read.
Church leaders called upon the signatories of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement to embrace dialogue as a means of resolving conflict.
This call follows renewed arrests of senior opposition leaders and escalated fighting across the country in recent weeks.
Religious leaders reiterated their commitment to working with the government to ensure the journey toward peace, justice, and prosperity is achieved without compromising the safety and lives of ordinary citizens.
In their press statement, the clerics emphasized that peace cannot be attained without fostering forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing. They pledged to continue praying, meditating, and engaging various peace partners within the country to realize peace.
“We will work tirelessly for the common good of our South Sudanese. Our citizens are tired of war and displacement, which have consistently compromised their dignity. Let us give peace a chance,” the statement added.
Furthermore, church leaders called on the South Sudanese government to release political and military leaders who have been arrested, including, the Minister of Petroleum, and the Minister of Peace Building and Deputy Chief of Defense Forces of SPLA-IO, among others.
Clergy members urged President Kiir to reflect on his message delivered in Rome, Italy, during his visit with Pope Francis, reiterating his commitment to prevent the nation from returning to war, which gave hope to many South Sudanese.
The faithful welcomed the recent decision by key principals of the agreement to de-escalate violence in Nasir and Ulang Counties and called upon principals of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to rise above their differences, prioritize dialogue over confrontation, and place the well-being of the civilian population above their political interests for effective implementation of the peace agreement.
“The future of our nation and that of our children depends on the choices we make today. Let us choose peace, not war,” the statement concluded.
Church leaders noted that recent violence in Western Equatoria, Southern Warrap in West Bahr el Ghazal, and Upper Nile State has claimed the lives of many civilians, displaced thousands who fled into the bush, and injured numerous others since fighting erupted.
They remain deeply concerned about the unfolding political situation across the country.