Listening
to people of South Sudan talk and express themselves, one cannot help but note
the pain in their hearts for the human suffering that has been brought about by
power struggle in the country. The untimely deaths and mass displacement of
innocent people have left a scar that will take time to heal. From their talks, it is evident that they
celebrated independence and left the government and the political class to run
the country.
According
to Civil Society Groups in South Sudan, the problems facing their country will
not be comprehensively addressed by a power sharing deal which is the most
probable outcome of the Addis Ababa negotiations. The real solution lies with
the people of South Sudan who have been at the receiving end of the conflicts.
As they send an appeal to the warring groups to stop the fighting and
concentrate on nation building, Civil Society Groups are also calling on the
government to involve them in the peace building process.
The
youngest independent state in the world attained independence two and a half
years ago with a lot of jubilation and celebrations. Civil society groups now
lament that the South Sudanese got so much into celebrations and forgot their role
in nation building. This very critical role was left to the political leaders and
the result is poor governance, political and economic frustration, poor
distribution of resources, a weak justice system and the raging fighting.
However,
it is not too late to pick up the pieces and learn from the past mistakes for lasting
peace to be found. The people of South Sudan should understand that they have a
role to play in the development of their country into a nation which future generations
will be proud of. They have a lot of potential and energy to work towards this
noble cause of finding lasting peace..
“As children of one
Father, all human beings are linked to one another in fraternity, and only
efforts that are born from a sense of fraternity can overcome the poverty,
conflict, inequality, crime, fundamentalism and other ills facing the world
today.” Pope Francis
“The church teaches
that true peace is made possible only through forgiveness and reconciliation.” compendium
of the social Doctrine of the Church 517.
by Pauline Wakibiru
