Politicians warned against stirring communal tensions
Senior clerics in the country have urged politicians to stop instigating conflict among communities.
The clerics made the remarks during the opening of the Mundari Peace Conference, initiated by church leaders on Tuesday.
The peace initiative is conducted under the theme; “may they be one” (John 17:21).
Dr Stephen Ameyu Mula, the metropolitan archbishop of Juba, described the conference as a historical moment for the community of Mundari and the people of Central Equatoria State.
“God gathered us here in order to witness it. We thank him for his mercies because he has called us to say enough is enough so that this year and the year 2022 may be the years of peace where we can experience and build peace, resolving problems through dialogue and reconciliation,” he said.
The cleric emphasised that the conference is a chance for the Mundari community to transform itself and seek peace.
“To our political leaders like the governor, former governors, commissioners and former commissioners…we must reach a common ground for the common good of the people of Central Equatoria State,” Ameyu said.
“We must try our level best to reach our people down there, even [as] we speak here, there are some people there instigating conflict,” he emphasised.
The cleric said the church will play a diplomatic role and work with the government of Central Equatoria State.
He said there was a need for significant church leaders to transform the community by using dialogue to address conflicts.
Plea to leaders
“If you fear God, you will not kill one another, and you will not ask people to kill themselves,” he remarked, as he addressed the leaders.
“Listening is from God. If you are able to listen to the people, listen to your constituencies, your people in Juba.
“Listen to your people down there. Listen to their cries. If you are not listening, you are not given the ears of God. “
The cleric lauded the ministers of Central Equatoria State for persuading cattle keepers from the Mundari community and urging them to return to their places of origin after fighting that erupted last August between the two sections of Juba.
Archbishop Dr Badi Arama—the primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan—praised the Mundari community for starting the New Year with peace and reconciliation.
He said anything that normally happens in the community often affects the church.
“It is my prayer that what has started here with Mundari Community will go [to] all communities…so that we realise that there is real peace in South Sudan, ” he said.
“I am very happy today because it is the day we have come to talk about our unity and how peace can prevail among the community of Mundari.”
He urged the youth from Mundari not to accept being confused by their politicians who pursue individual interests.
“Anyone who wants to be a minister or governor, let them fight there in the parliament, and we shall listen, but not come and deceive us in the community so that we fight among us and kill ourselves no,” Dr Badi said.
Dr Badi said the church is involved in the conference to witness the peace that the Mundari community themselves will produce within the three days of their deliberation.
Meanwhile, Clement Wani Konga, former governor of Central Equatoria State and the chairperson of the Mundari Community, said the time has come for the community to cease committing atrocities and embrace good deeds.
“Let us accept our mistakes and ask God Almighty, to bless us if we ask him. This time you must be careful and do not play with God because if you play with God then that will be the end of you,” Wani urged the community.
