SOUTH SUDAN: Rebuilding Vandalized Diocese of Malakal to wait till proper Secession of Hostility
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| Msgr. Roko Taban, Apostolic Administrator Malakal Diocese |
The
Apostolic Administrator of Malakal Msgr. Roko Taban has said that the idea of
starting to rebuild the structures of the Diocese that were destroyed and
vandalized during the war in the country should wait until stability is guaranteed.
Apostolic Administrator of Malakal Msgr. Roko Taban has said that the idea of
starting to rebuild the structures of the Diocese that were destroyed and
vandalized during the war in the country should wait until stability is guaranteed.
Speaking to AMECEA Online News from Juba, Msgr. Roko
Taban said that normalcy is yet to come to Malakal town since only few people
have gone back.
Taban said that normalcy is yet to come to Malakal town since only few people
have gone back.
“It is not
wise to start to start rebuilding while security is not ensured and the war is
still going on in some parts of the diocese,” he said adding that “What we are
doing now is to reach out to people who have gone back to other parts of the
diocese.”
wise to start to start rebuilding while security is not ensured and the war is
still going on in some parts of the diocese,” he said adding that “What we are
doing now is to reach out to people who have gone back to other parts of the
diocese.”
He said that
quite a number of priests from the diocese have gone back to Malakal town to
minister to people and quite a number of parishes within the diocese are now
operational.
quite a number of priests from the diocese have gone back to Malakal town to
minister to people and quite a number of parishes within the diocese are now
operational.
He said “You
can only talk of normalcy when there is a real ceasefire and a real peace deal.
As of now, there is no proper ceasefire, no proper secession of hostility, no
proper peace deal and therefore many people have kept away.”
can only talk of normalcy when there is a real ceasefire and a real peace deal.
As of now, there is no proper ceasefire, no proper secession of hostility, no
proper peace deal and therefore many people have kept away.”
South
Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed another
ceasefire deal on 2nd February in their latest effort to end 15
months of deadly fighting in a civil war that has ravaged the world’s newest
country. However, according to Msgr. Taban, exchange of fire between government
troops and the rebels were reported in the Upper Nile State and Unity state after
even signing of the ceasefire.
Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed another
ceasefire deal on 2nd February in their latest effort to end 15
months of deadly fighting in a civil war that has ravaged the world’s newest
country. However, according to Msgr. Taban, exchange of fire between government
troops and the rebels were reported in the Upper Nile State and Unity state after
even signing of the ceasefire.
“Peace deal
is a kind of hope for the people of South Sudan because we are practically
tired of what is going on,” Msgr Taban said adding “The current war is basically
for power struggle, the hunger for power that everyone wants to gain.”
is a kind of hope for the people of South Sudan because we are practically
tired of what is going on,” Msgr Taban said adding “The current war is basically
for power struggle, the hunger for power that everyone wants to gain.”
“When you
listen to discussions going on among leaders, it is all about who will be the
minister here and there, yet nothing is discussed about the people of South
Sudan who bear the brunt and suffer the consequences of the ongoing conflict,”
he said.
listen to discussions going on among leaders, it is all about who will be the
minister here and there, yet nothing is discussed about the people of South
Sudan who bear the brunt and suffer the consequences of the ongoing conflict,”
he said.
He appealed
to AU and IGAD to be very strong in pushing the two parties to sign the
agreement for the good of the people of South Sudan. He said that although the
Catholic Church is not fully involved in the mediation process since the mandate
belongs to IGAD Countries.
to AU and IGAD to be very strong in pushing the two parties to sign the
agreement for the good of the people of South Sudan. He said that although the
Catholic Church is not fully involved in the mediation process since the mandate
belongs to IGAD Countries.
Meanwhile, Msgr. Taban confirmed media reports
that more than two and a half million South Sudanese are facing hunger crisis
adding that the situation is perhaps worse than what is reported by the media.
that more than two and a half million South Sudanese are facing hunger crisis
adding that the situation is perhaps worse than what is reported by the media.
“Because of
the ongoing conflict many people have not managed to engage in food production,
thousands of people still lives in internally displaced camps. AU therefore
must be very strong in pushing the two parties to sign the Peace agreement, and
adhere to it for the good of the people of South Sudan,” he said.
the ongoing conflict many people have not managed to engage in food production,
thousands of people still lives in internally displaced camps. AU therefore
must be very strong in pushing the two parties to sign the Peace agreement, and
adhere to it for the good of the people of South Sudan,” he said.
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online
News Reporter
News Reporter
