AMECEA: PIHD Coordinator Urges South Sudan Churches to Foster Peaceful Environment
Ginaba Lino
The Coordinator for Promoting Integral Human Development (PIHD) at AMECEA, during a three-day workshop on ‘Civic Education and Observer Mission’, Fr. Paul Munga’thia Igweta, has called on the Churches in South Sudan to lead in the role of creating conducive environment to avoid making constitution which will not be people’s constitution.
Fr. Igweta urged the Church in South Sudan to lead in engaging with the constitutional-making process, ensuring that the new constitution reflects the will of the people and empowers all citizens.
He stressed the importance of preparedness in election monitoring and observation, citing previous Church involvement in constitutional review processes, such as in Kenya.
“In Kenya, the Church played very crucial role in Constitutional review and creating democratic space. So, constitution making is a multi-sectorial affair, not a government affair only, not a church affair only, not civil society affair only, and not a military affair only: it’s a participative democracy in constitutional making. And so now the Church can lead this role especially in creating conducive environment.
“You can make a Constitution which is not people’s constitution, but individual constitution, or political constitution or maybe police constitution,” The Kenyan Catholic Priest stated.
Fr. Paul believes that creating dialogue between the Church and political leaders would be very helpful to have a constitution that speaks for the people and empower each and everyone in the country.
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA) convened a workshop bringing together members of South Sudan’s National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) to discuss the country’s ongoing constitutional-making process.
On the second day of the workshop, NCRC Secretary-General John Natana Abraham provided an update on the commission’s progress, outlining both achievements and challenges.
He emphasized the critical role of the Church in supporting constitutional processes, particularly in mobilizing political will and engaging the country’s leadership. Abraham stressed that technical support from the Church and other stakeholders is essential to ensuring a smooth transition.
He also underscored the importance of public engagement, highlighting the need for South Sudanese citizens to be well-informed and actively involved in shaping the country’s constitution.
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of the Tombura-Yambio Catholic Diocese, who also serves as President of the Integral Human Development Commission of the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference, reiterated that a well-crafted constitution is crucial to preventing future conflicts, especially in the lead-up to elections.
He called for early preparations for the electoral process and emphasized the Church’s role in raising awareness and amplifying community voices in the constitutional review process.
“In this review process, the Church can be instrumental in mediation and guiding political parties to prioritize the country’s interests,” Bishop Hiiboro stated. He added that the Church is committed to preparing itself to support the people of South Sudan in making informed decisions for their nation.
Fr. Paul Igweta, reaffirmed AMECEA’s commitment to assisting Bishops’ Conferences in peace building and conflict resolution.
