The Metropolitan Archbishop of Catholic diocese of Juba, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Mulla, has called on South Sudanese to draw inspiration from Christ’s resurrection and work towards peace, transcending political and ethnic divides.
In his Easter message on Friday, Cardinal Ameyu urged South Sudanese to become agents of transformation, envisioning a future where all citizens can live in safety.
“As we celebrate Christ’s victory over death, let us be inspired to actively work for a peace that transcends political divides and ethnic differences,” Amulla appealed. “Let us be agents of transformation, working towards a society where every South Sudanese citizen enjoys safety, dignity, and security.”
He further stated that the journey towards lasting peace requires South Sudanese to move beyond the past and heal the wounds created by political division.
“Let the spirit of Easter inspire us to embrace dialogue, empathy, and a genuine commitment to reconciliation at all levels of our society,” he added.
Cardinal Ameyu’s call comes amidst rising political tension and sub-national conflict, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the country.
This recurring political tension and inter-communal violence in South Sudan affected 3,657 civilians between January and December 2024, resulting in 1,561 civilian deaths, 1,299 injuries, 551 abductions, and 246 cases of sexual violence, according to a UNMISS report published this month.
In light of this urgent situation, Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, is urging the South Sudan government to tackle the root causes of conflict and protect civilians.
“Protecting civilians and preventing violence requires urgent actions by authorities at the national, state, and local levels, as well as by communities, to address the root causes of the conflict and find non-violent solutions,” Haysom stated.
Amid ongoing political disputes and subnational violence, President Kiir reassured the nation on Thursday that the security situation in the country is stable.
In a statement after meeting with SPLM Secretary General Dr. James Wani Igga, President Kiir assured government’s commitment to peace.
“President Kiir assured South Sudanese that the security situation across the country is calm, expressing the government’s commitment to maintaining sustainable peace and security for the good of the nation,” the statement from Office of the President partly read.
