KENYA: “De-escalate Current Tension and Return to Negotiation Table,” Kenya Bishops to Sudan
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) have shared solidarity message with the people of Sudan following the ongoing war which erupted last month April, and plead with the leaders of the country to ease the tension and open up for fruitful discussions.
Joining other States, organizations and groups around the world who are seeking a quick and lasting solution to the current conflict in the Northeast African country, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya express their solidarity saying, “We pray that the leaders in Sudan will put the interests of the people first and agree to dialogue with each other.”
They have stressed that “violence and shedding of the blood of innocent men, women and children can never be a solution.” But urged the Sudanese leaders to de-escalate the current tension and return to the negotiation table.”
Noting that the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which started in the capital city of Khartoum has since spread to other regions of the country such as North Darfur, North Kordofan and South Darfur, the prelates highlighted in the statement shared with AMECEA Online that the violence and unrest in in Sudan which has “so far left over 450 people dead, more than 4,000 injured and thousands displaced and fleeing the country.”
In their plea for leaders of the country to be concerned of people’s interests and put aside their differences, the bishops’ statement signed by the Conference’ chairman Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa said, “The people of Sudan have suffered a lot over the years and the best gift that the leaders can give them is lasting peace.”
In the statement addressed to the Church and the people of Sudan, the bishops in Kenya echo consoling words of Pope Francis shared about eight years ago during Easter saying, “May the marginalized, the imprisoned, the poor, and the migrants who are often rejected, mistreated and discarded, the sick and the suffering, children, especially those who are victims of violence; all who today are mourning, and all men and women of good will, hear the consoling and healing voice of the Lord Jesus; “Peace to you. Fear not, for I am risen and I shall always be with you…”
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops keep hopeful in prayer that the Lord will guide the country of Sudan “towards the path of peace, love and unity,” as they emphasize in their message, “We look forward to a time when Sudan will become a symbol of hope and an example to other conflict-prone nations in the world that true peace can be achieved if leaders agree to put aside their interests or religious differences and talk with one another in a spirit of true brotherhood.”
“Let us embrace the many gifts that God has endowed us with and work tirelessly towards renewal, with hope and thanksgiving,” the bishops said and continued asking for God’s intervention for lasting peace as they plead through Our Lady saying, “May our blessed Mother Mary the Queen of Peace, intercede for us and for the whole world. May she intercede for your country so that true peace and cohesion may be restored.”
