SOUTH SUDAN: “Children are to be Loved, Protected, Nurtured and Cared for” Church leaders in South Sudan over Murder
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following the incident of murder in Juba on Saturday, August 1, where three siblings were killed in cold blood by an unidentified person, leaders of South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) which comprises of seven-member Churches have denounced the gruesome death of the three children, highlighting that “children are to be loved, protected, nurtured and cared for.”
“South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) condemns in the strongest terms the gruesome murder of the three (3) little innocent children in Rock City Residential Area of Juba. This is a barbaric, heinous and demonic act that cannot be tolerated,” the Church authorities denounced the act in a collective statement dated Wednesday, August 5.
“We demand that this unprecedented case be given the most urgent priority and we pray that justice takes its course. We also pray to the Almighty God to comfort the bereaved family in this very difficult time of great loss,” the statement signed by eight members including Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin of Catholic Archdiocese of Juba reads in part.
The incident reported to have taken place when the three children (Lydia Edward, 9, Blessings Edward, 7, and Nura Edward 4) were alone at home in the absence of their parents is still under investigation and the culprit not yet found.
Speaking of the same murder in a different statement, the Local Ordinary of Tombura-Yambio Diocese Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala has described the tragedy as “breaking”, calling for a crackdown to restrict such behavior in the country.
“I join the entire nation in condemning this inhuman behavior and call for a law and order crackdown,” the Prelate decries and adds “I call upon the law enforcement agents and those responsible for public safety to find such cowards and subject to the full weight of the law.”
The South Sudanese Prelate who has been staying in Kenya since March because of the imposed international travel regulations to help curb the spread of Coronavirus has reminded the people of the right to life which should be protected and not violated.
“A fundamental component of a person’s human dignity is the right to life,” the Bishop asserted and continued, “We the peace-loving people of South Sudan must stand united in the face of those who use violence and intimidation to squash it.”
He bemoaned further that despite “several condemnations of the killing of these Children and above all by our national government and authorities, there is yet to be a consistent robust and fair implementation of these same sentiments, regionally and locally.”
The Bishop continued, “It may likely sit back the old annoying phenomenon of unknown gun man!” appealing that “let this incident trigger consistent urgent alarm of vigilance by all of us to protect and cherish the lives of each and every one of us.”
