Solidarity message of courage and hope to the beloved people of God in the Sudan by Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala Hiiboro, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese Of Tombura-Yambio, South Sudan

Dear Archbishop Michael Didi, Cardinal Zubeir, Archbishop the Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan, Bishop Trile Tombe, Bishop Daniel Adwok, Priests, Religious, Brother and Sisters in the Sudan,

Peace and love of God the Merciful and our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all during these difficult days! I send you this letter of love, hope, and solidarity on behalf of your brothers and sisters in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, by and large, the whole of South Sudan. 

We have been saddened by the event which has befallen you during these last days, where armed confrontations with civilians have erupted in the Capital of the Sudan, Khartoum. This is not good news for us neither for you or any peace lovers.  

I am writing this letter to inform you all that you and all the beloved people of Sudan are in our prayers in the entire diocese of Tombura-Yambio. We stand by you all during this tempting moment. We pray and weep with you, above all praying with you for peaceful resolution of this current problem.   

With no doubt, the sad and shocking recent events have brought huge sorrow to you and all of us here.   Already, we told not less than ten people have died as result, such heart-rending scenes of innocent lives dying in the streets wound the conscience of a nation.    In the distant past, already several lives were lost in similar violence, so let the Sudan sacred ground not be soaked once more in fraternal blood. The sadness of parents burying their children has to stop. Parents’ tears are never a blessing to any nation. the bishops warned. 

I sincerely urge you all to pray and fast for reconciliation as the nation is locked in hopelessness and despair through the coup. This is a time for prayer. This is a time for fasting. This is a time for conversion for all in this country.  

I may say, let the dove of peace return to Sudan. Let this nation rise up to be a new Sudan of peace and prosperity to all. Let the rainbow of peace and reconciliation rise again. 

We also add our voices to the many voices which have asked the military to restrain from using violence to harm its own innocent people. In a state of law, power is not in the hands of certain individuals but to the people. Anger should never lead a people but work for peace and reconciliation.  

As a way forward, I urge the people of God in Sudan to seek the path to conversion and to accept dialogue in the spirit of truth and honesty. 

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The Sudanese are true and faithful believers, Muslims or Christians alike; you must not forget that prayer is an effective weapon for forgiveness and reconciliation. The dialogue process can only succeed if you and your political or military leaders can allow God to come into your lives [and] touch your hearts to be able to ensure the changes your country really needs. 

The forced uprooting is exacerbating an already precarious humanitarian situation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many people in urgent need of basic essentials. 

The Holy Book of (Qur’an 59:23) happily encourages that, peace is one of the names of God himself: “He is God, other than whom there is no god, the King, the Holy, the Peace, the Defender, the Guardian, the Mighty, the Omnipotent, the Supreme.”  

As matter of fact, in a conflict such as this, believers must turn to God, by using the spiritual resources available to them! All roads in this way lead to Peace who is God Himself. The Holy Book of the Qur’an; it forbids aggressive warfare (Qur’an 2:190): “…God loves not the aggressors” 

As Christians too, we must return always to the sources of our faith to be reminded of God’s presence with us, even when experiencing despicable assaults on the sanctity of life. 

“God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” (Psalm 46:5, 11) 

In the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, we share in your sorrow. The members of the Interfaith Council for Peace Initiative in Western Equatoria State will not cease in its dedication to make known God’s desire that all in Sudan share in an abundance of life characterized by justice and peace. South Sudan loves you all!  

Yours in our Common Almighty God and Lord, 

God bless you all, 

Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala 

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio and  

Chairperson, Interfaith Council for Peace Initiative, 

Western Equatoria State, South Sudan