Association
of Members of Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa
P.O. Box 21191 - 00505
Tel. 254. 020. 3876910/ 020.2013363
020.2013363
website: http://www.amecea.org
“I HAVE WITNESSED THE AFFLICTION OF MY PEOPLE AND HAVE
HEARD THEIR CRY” (Exodus 3:7): An Appeal for Immediate Cessation of
Hostilities and a Rediscovery of the sense of Nationhood in South Sudan
Preamble:
1.
That
the South Sudanese are a people whose history has been marked with a long
protracted struggle for independence that lasted for nearly sixty years. During
these dark years, virtues like courage, perseverance and endurance were
witnessed among the South Sudanese. However, we also acknowledge that the
liberation wars left wounds and scars that may not have been fully healed.
2.
Throughout
the liberation struggles the South Sudanese were united in fighting for the liberation
of a nation, not just for their tribes or ethnic groupings. This unity is a
core value that should ring in the minds of all the people of South Sudan and especially
the warring parties in the on-going political conflict. Indeed South Sudan is
bigger than any individual or any ethnic grouping.
3.
It
should also be reemphasized that the struggle involved the South Sudanese as a
people. Hence the liberation and independence of South Sudan should never be
looked at as solely military success! It is the South Sudanese as a people who
were fighting for liberation. It therefore means that every effort should be
made to avoid the militarization of the management and day to day running of
the affairs of South Sudan. At this critical time especially, it is important
to involve all stakeholders in the peace talks that are aimed at finding a
lasting solution to the current crisis.
4.
It
is also of paramount importance to recall here that, in the struggles of the
people of South Sudan for their independence, the Church played a very crucial
role. We specifically refer to the contribution of the Church in bringing about
reconciliation between different factions within the SPLM/A. The Church also
contributed a lot in provision of essential services and putting up structures
for such services. As it stands all these facilities risk destruction.
5. With
gratitude to God, we appreciate the fact that South Sudan is predominantly
Christian; hence the common bond of baptism should create a sense of true
brotherhood and help the South Sudanese to desist from negative ethnicity and
tribalism. In this spirit of brotherhood, we admire the strong ecumenical bond
that has existed between the different churches in South Sudan. It is in the
unity of the prophetic voice of the Church leaders that the people were
inspired to find their identity as one united people of South Sudan. We liken
this prophetic role of the church leaders to the role Moses played in the
struggles that the people went through. This spiritual accompaniment of any
nation is so important that whenever it is overlooked things are never the
same. We therefore ask the people of South Sudan a few questions: Where is that
prophetic voice? Where is the role of religious leaders in the current peace
talks and negotiations? Since the voice of the Church is the voice of God, can
the warring parties and all the people of South Sudan hearken to this voice
which is clear: God wants peace for His people, no more hostilities and bloodshed!
And again, God says: “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace
and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14).
6. With the inauguration of South Sudan as the youngest nation
in the world and the celebrations that marked its independence in July 2011,
there was jubilation and hope. These celebrations offered a greater challenge
and responsibility towards nation building. Indeed after attaining their
independence, the South Sudanese embarked on a common journey as one nation and
one people united by a common destiny and hope regardless of their diverse
backgrounds.
Our Anguish:
Now it is more than a month since this crisis started! While appreciating the efforts being made by the regional stakeholders and the wider international community in bringing peace, we are saddened by the slow pace which the peace talks in Addis Ababa are taking. We are further saddened by the fact that the warring parties are still holding firm to their conditions. In all these we urge the parties concerned to realise one bitter fact: innocent people are being killed, people are being displaced, the rights of the people are being abused, property is being destroyed; South Sudan is bleeding! All these have a bearing on the social, economic, political and religious spheres of South Sudan.
Our Appeal:
1.
As
Church leaders concerned about the peoples of South Sudan we appeal for immediate and unconditional cessation of all hostilities
in the entire country of South Sudan. We believe in the fact that peace is a
value that all must seek and a universal duty founded on a rational moral order
of society.
2.
We
also appeal to the concerned parties, the regional stakeholders and the
international community to ensure that corridors
for humanitarian access to the displaced populations are opened and security
provided for those offering emergency services. Let the international community
know that there is a moral obligation to intervene on behalf of the many people
in South Sudan whose very survival is threatened and whose basic human rights
are seriously violated. This situation demands for an immediate response.
3.
We
appeal for the expansion of the table of
negotiations. It is our belief that this process should not be politicised.
Rather, all the stakeholders should be involved so that the underlying issues
to the South Sudan crisis can be addressed for a lasting peace.
4.
We
appeal to the warring parties in the
current crisis and all the politicians to soften their positions in the
interest of saving lives. We strongly advocate for the protection of the
right to life and the dignity of the human person. Human life is sacred and
therefore no one has the right to take it (Ex. 20:13). As Church leaders, we
believe that true peace can only be made
possible through dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation. At the same time
we are aware that these three do not eliminate the need for justice and as well
they do not block the path to truth. Hence we encourage that the solution to
the crisis should also lead to a roadmap that will bring about truth and
justice and healing in South Sudan.
5.
We
urge the nations of the world to support the initiative of Caritas Internationalis and all other organizations involved in
providing humanitarian and relief services.
6.
Finally,
we urge all Christians around the world to pray for a lasting solution to the
crisis in South Sudan and the fruit of lasting peace and unity in South Sudan.
Conclusion
We, the
Catholic Church leaders in Eastern Africa, make this statement as a sign of
solidarity with the people of South Sudan. We urge all people who are involved
in the current crisis to listen to this message. Let all remember that true
peace is a gift from God.
We entrust
the people of South Sudan to the intercession of Mary, Our Lady Queen of Peace
and Queen of Africa.
Signed:………………………………………. Date………………………………..
CHAIRMAN
………………………………………..
SECRETARY GENERAL
