Christians urge South Sudan leaders to implement peace deal

Several Christians in South Sudan’s Western Lakes State on Easter Sunday urged the country’s leaders and citizens to embrace peace, reconciliation and harmony by implementing the revitalized peace agreement in letter and spirit.

The Christians had gathered at Rumbek Catholic Church for prayers.

Daniel Deng Monydit, a transitional legislative assembly member, urged leaders and citizens to implement the revitalized peace deal.

“My message has come at the right time when South Sudan has the revitalized peace agreement to be implemented and we are left with only 21 days for the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU). In Western Lakes State, we want our citizens to have peaceful co-existence among the civilian population and let bygones be bygones,” Deng told Radio Tamazuj.

He added, “My appeal is for forgiveness as charity begins at home. Forgiveness first starts in the family, to the neighbour and the rest. You cannot talk of forgiveness when you are not able to forgive each other in the family”.

Deng said citizens, particularly those from Western Lakes State, should view the revitalized peace deal as a chance to achieve peace.

Santino Malek Buoi, a Rumbek Catholic Church member, said the revitalized peace accord provides a great avenue for peace in the country.

The chairperson of the elders’ council in Rumbek Diocese, Paulino Mading Meen urged Christians to live in harmony with one another.

“We are living in a terrible situation in South Sudan. We have liberated ourselves, but there is still no freedom and peace,” he said.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of Rumbek diocese, Fr. John Mathiang Machol urged the population to embrace peace and harmony.

“My message to the people of South Sudan is to let us take the little opportunity the Lord has given us. Let’s take it and make use of this little opportunity to avoid any other hate of killing that will take us back to war. Fighting cannot take us anywhere and we will not achieve anything through wrangling over power,” said Fr. Machol.

Meanwhile, Veronica Akuel Akol, urged authorities in the state and country to ensure peace, security and reconciliation among people.

Placido Lual Manying, an elderly church member, said no peace will prevail in South Sudan if civil servants are not paid for several months.

In September last year, South Sudan’s arch-foes signed a revitalized peace agreement to end the country’s civil war that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.

The agreement provides for a new transitional government in May 2019 before elections three years later.