AMECEA: Presents South Sudan Election Ecumenical Network Charter to SSSCBC for Review and Endorsement
Ginaba Lino
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has concluded its Civic Education and Observer Mission project by presenting the South Sudan Election Ecumenical Network Charter to the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops Conference (SSSCBC) for review and endorsement. The charter aims to guide church leaders and institutions in their involvement with the electoral process and transition in South Sudan.
The South Sudan Election Ecumenical Network will provide a framework for cooperation among the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conferences, SSSCBC, and other church organizations. Its goal is to harmonize efforts, reduce duplication, and minimize competition during the transition process.
Fr. Paul Munga’thia Igweta, Coordinator for Promoting Integral Human Development (PIHD) at AMECEA, explained that the project aims to create a platform for the SSSCBC to engage with key electoral and transition bodies, helping church leaders deliberate on their role in shaping the country’s future. The project’s key outcomes include establishing a national resource pool for civic engagement and empowering local teams on election-related matters.
The project is now focused on building sustainable structures and advocating for continued progress. Fr. John Ope, Coordinator for Justice and Peace at SSSCBC, praised AMECEA for its dedication and impact over the past year, expressing readiness to move forward after reviewing the charter. He also called for continued collaboration between AMECEA, SSSCBC, and SSCC to ensure the project’s success.
Meanwhile, the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio Catholic Diocese who serves as the president of the Integral Human Development Commission of the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops Conference Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala commends AMECEA for choosing to work with the people of South Sudan.
Bishop Hiiboro highlights the AMECEA support to the conference of Sudan and South Sudan, adding the support helps to overcome the difficulties the people of South Sudan face.
“I thank the team from AMECEA, for choosing to work alongside us the people of South Sudan, and you know how much AMECEA Region has been crucial to us as the people of this Country, not only giving refuge but also helping us to overcome the difficult we had in trying to get peace to this Country.”
He emphasized that the relationship between the Bishop’s Conference and AMECEA can be used to bring peace to South Sudan, adding that the Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan are committed to working together with AMECEA.
“There is a lot of work that we need to do so that we can help our country to avoid the worst if we are tempted and told to go for elections,” Bishop Hiiboro narrated.
He stated that there is a need to start civic education with people from the grassroots because there is too much ignorance about elections.
On behalf of the SSSCBC Secretariat, Deputy Secretary General Fr. Louse Romano affirmed that the AMECEA program is well-structured and will help guide the Church in serving the people of South Sudan. He emphasized the Church’s vital role not only as civic educators but also as instruments of peace and reconciliation.
“We are not only civic educators, but we are inspired and we are the true instrument for peace and reconciliation to our people in this Country.”
Together with the SSSCBC, AMECEA designed the project with the belief that South Sudan’s social, economic, and political transition requires a coordinated, strategic agenda for peace and national stability. Key actions to date include peace and conflict context analysis, national training of trainers, diocesan capacity-building sessions, and consultations with key church bodies in South Sudan.
Moving forward, the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference, through its Justice and Peace Commission, will continue to implement the program with ongoing technical support from AMECEA.
