South Sudan is the youngest member
state of AMECEA whose celebrations in July 2011 to usher in a new chapter for
South Sudan as an independent country came with much jubilation, inspiration
and hope, that true peace, freedom and prosperity is finally here. It is clear
that the reason why the robust inauguration of South Sudan elicited so much
excitement not just in Sudan but way beyond the her frontier is because for
about forty years, that part of Africa did not know peace. The forty years of
war left the country in a sorry state of inadequate education, medical care,
infrastructure and sky-rocketing poverty levels.
General elections in the wider
Sudan and the eventual referendum marked the end of an era, and transition has
been on course since. For the last two and a half years of
independence the neighboring countries and indeed the
world has come together to offer support of whatever kind to S. Sudan in order
to enhance and accelerate the much needed development. AMECEA has been part of
this supportive process with a Capacity
Building Training already on schedule for 7th-12th
January 2014. Although the exploitation of the oil resource has been rocked
with some difficulties, a lot of impressive progress had been registered with
the hope of improved lives. We appreciate that S. Sudan has experienced
challenges since her inception as an independent state but that has been
perceived as normal initial problems to stability while at the same time
celebrating the gains made with great hope.
That is why the Church in the
region of AMECEA is sad to note the sudden twist of affairs from Sunday 15th
December 2013, with reports of a coup attempt that has left more than 60 lives
lost and many more injured as of today 18th December 2013. The
violence seems to degenerate to tribal and ethnic hostility, a regrettable
reality which if it goes on unabated will inevitably be hugely devastating in
the end. Justice and Peace Department
of AMECEA appeals to the administration and the opposition party, Church
leaders and the people of Sudan to do all that is possible to put to a quick
stop to what is happening in their beloved country. We further urge you to use
all the peaceful means available to settle down the grievances therein. We wish
to recall to you the dark days that only talks and dialogue that culminated in
the signing of CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement) could resolve the stalemate.
Dialogue and talks need to be given a chance to avert the many innocent lives
that have been lost and will continue to be lost.
As we uphold our hope that
peaceful ways of dialogue will prevail over the conflicts and war, we assure
the people of South Sudan of our prayers and best wishes as they pursue the
path of peace. May this time we are waiting for the birth of our Lord and
Savior be a significant moment for the people of S. Sudan that indeed the
Prince of Peace will reign in their midst.
God bless Africa
Fr. Jude WAWERU is the Coordinator
of AMECEA Justice and Peace Desk
