[Nairobi, Kenya, TCT] South Sudanese church leaders have vowed to rise above tribe and political affiliation, and to speak with one voice for peace and reconciliation during the current crisis facing the country.
They were speaking during a forum organised by the Africa Leadership And Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM) in Nairobi, Kenya, for South Sudanese church leaders from various denominations and tribes.
Bishop John Gatek, a bishop from Bentiu said many South Sudanese in Kenya seem to have been misinformed about what happened in South Sudan. He said that it was wrong to say that it was a tribal conflict between the Dinka and Nuer when it was not.
“I was there when this thing started in Juba, as a Nuer, this just started as political differences, and erupted in military and later on graduated into tribal conflict,” he said. “This is a political conflict and that is why up to now, the cattle keepers in both tribes are not participating like what happened in 1991.”
Church leaders present called on warring parties and leaders to think about the suffering of the people, and respect the cessation of hostilities agreement to stop continuous killings, as happened last week in Malakal, Upper Nile State.
Speaking during the same occasion, the ALARM-Africa Director, Ms. Emily Chengo said they have already started distributing relief food to the affected people in camps in South Sudan. She said that ALARM had given food and non-food items through ALARM-South Sudan to IDPs in Juba UNMISS camp, and Ming-Kaman at Aweirial, Lakes State.
The ALARM-Kenya country Director Dr. Sammy Linge, said their office has been trying to create a forum for South Sudanese church leaders to talk about the current situation in the country and how to participate in bringing peace. He advised South Sudanese church leaders not to let the country burn without doing anything about the situation since they will still need their country tomorrow.
He said that it was important for all South Sudanese leaders from the different tribes to come together in the Diaspora, and to tell their people that it was possible to have peace again.
“ALARM-Kenya would want to approach this situation through the church for effective delivery of the message of peace, for it to reach the grassroots,” he said.
The ALARM-Kenya peace and reconciliation coordinator Mr. Peter Durito said the solution to current crisis in South Sudan will not come from anywhere else; it must come from the South Sudanese themselves. He urged Church leaders to take responsibility of bringing peace and reconciliation among people, especially the citizens. He said that responsibility is the price one has to pay for his or her country.
ALARM is a Christian organization that deals with developing leaders for the church, reconciling people and building relationships. It helps to build peace in society by transforming communities through trauma healing for those affected by conflict situations. ALARM also provides small scale relief through the church to affected communities. The organization has been operating in South Sudan for nearly 10 years.
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