SOUTH SUDAN: South Sudan Leadership Urged to Restore Peace and End Human Suffering Ahead of Anniversary of Unity Government
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Prior to the first anniversary of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) that was formed 22 February 2020, in South Sudan with the key priorities and tasks among others to end civil war and consolidate peace and stability in the country, the government has been urged to focus its attention to this urgent need and restore peace.
In a statement issued Monday, February 15, Church leaders and civil society representatives have highlighted the needs of citizens saying, “We, the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), the South Sudan Civil Society Forum (SSCSF) and South Sudan Women’s Coalition for Peace (SSWCP) have come together to jointly amplify the call of the citizens of South Sudan for restoration of peace, security and stability and an end to all bloodshed in our country.”
They decry the government’s laxity to fulfil their role in ensuring peace in the country despite receiving several reminders.
“It is not the first time we have called on our political leaders to fulfill their responsibility to our country and the citizens of this nation. Unfortunately, these calls have not yielded any meaningful change to the ongoing crisis in the country and the living conditions of the common citizens,” reads excerpt of the joint statement.
Even though the religious and civil society leaders acknowledge “reduction of military confrontations among forces of parties to the peace agreement,” they express “deep concern that the overall situation has not convincingly improved.”
According to them, the country “has continued to witness devastating intercommunal violence, displacement of civilians, sexual and gender-based violence, unnecessary roadblocks for extorting money and inflicting pain on travelers and humanitarian workers alongside an economy that falters with soaring inflation rates.”
Additionally, the representatives have noted that aid agencies have persistently reported increase in humanitarian assistance needed by the people of South Sudan, a sign that “peace agreement has not helped to significantly scale down the humanitarian crisis in the country.”
“With this growing unbearable situation of human suffering, we are prompted to echo the people’s call for an end to violent conflicts and insecurity, displacements of civilians and insensitive creation of more orphans and widows,” reads the Monday statement.
The representatives add, “We now seize this moment to jointly exhort all our representatives; religious leaders, women, youth and civil society leaders across the country to unite, raise their voices and call for what the people desperately need – peace, security and stability to end bloodshed and human suffering in South Sudan.”
They conclude by assuring citizen of their continuous effort for the government to heed the citizens’ plea and act accordingly.
“In the face of these unprecedented challenges our country and the people are going through, we commit on their behalf to intensify these calls until all leaders listen and deliver peace, justice, liberty and prosperity for all citizens of our country,” the statement reads.
