South Sudan Council of Churches Committee Members Express Concern over the dormant Implementation of Revitalized Peace Agreement by the Political leaders

The committee had come to Yambio, Western Equatoria State in a mission to speak with Christians, civil leaders as well as political leaders on the possible tragedies that may continue to face South Sudan as political leaders remained noncommittal to the full implementation of the revitalised peace agreement.

The committee regrets the fact that the political leaders have only been mindful of their splinted political agenda without focusing on the needs of the common people in the Country who are living under various challenges.

“As it is now, the parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolutions of the Conflict in South Sudan such as SPLM, SPLM-IO, SSOA and OPP seemed to be more concerned with their own internal issues rather than the unity of all South Sudanese and this is very worrying,” Rev. Fr. James Oyet said.

Speaking while kneeling on the ground as a sign of humble request to the parties concerned, Fr. Oyet expressed that the current situation in South Sudan is very precarious owing to the fact that there is lack of true peace coupled with disease pandemic that currently ravages the whole world, South Sudan not excluded, the South Sudanese people will only be saved by Jesus Christ and the mighty powers of God.

While still kneeling, Fr. Oyet posed the following questions, “How many people have died and continue to die in South Sudan? Is there no way anymore to change this situation?”

He told Christians that they must persistently prayers and work for the solutions towards the problems engulfing South Sudan.

Speaking during the same occasion, Archbishop Dr. Justin Badi Arama said that it is over two years now and nothing substantial in terms of the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. The parties to the agreement are doing the implementation at a snail pace like a token being given once in a while then wait for another longer duration before they can come back and implement another small portion at their own time.

As the South Council of Churches we have spoken to the political leaders on such kind of implementation method; taking the process in bits and pieces; this is very dangerous for the lives of South Sudanese and the generations to come because situations will just continue to worsen,” Archbishop Badi Arama expressed.

The Archbishop said they were in Yambio to bring the message of peace and hope and encourage the church leaders in Western Equatoria State to work for the lasting peace. They also came to talk to political authorities to continue maintaining peace and enforce unity and love for all.

The Host Archbishop for Western Equatoria Internal Provence Dr. Samuel Enosa Peni while welcoming the National South Sudan Council of Churches delegation at All Saints Cathedral Yambio ECSS Diocese confirmed the unity of the different church leaders in Western Equatoria State who have laid substantial efforts to pray and support the implementation of the peace accord locally and nationwide.

On February 16, 2021 a committee from South Sudan Council of churches comprising of Rev. Fr. James Oyet Latansio General Secretary of South Sudan Council of Churches, His Grace Dr. Justin Badi Arama Archbishop of Episcopal Church of South Sudan a member of Body of Trustees in the Council, Gladis Mananyu Regional Facilitator, Okwera Murice Forum Coordinator and Lakoya Okuba Shakira, the communication officer paid a courtesy visit to Yambio, Western Equatoria State.

They were met by members of different churches including the Catholic Church, ECSS, Lutheran Evangelical Church, Pentecostal Church, and Africa Inland Church among others. The meeting brought in a small number of church leaders, women and youth who gathered under strict adherence of the National Covid 19 preventive measures, which include social distancing, wearing face masks, washing hands and sanitizing.

By Elias Ginana Mangbondo