South Sudan Church Leader Urge Rebels to Halt Violence

By Awan Achiek

A church leader in South Sudan has called on the country’s holdout groups to stop fighting and begin serious engagement in peace negotiations to bring a holistic end to years of crisis.

While meeting with the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony on Friday, Archbishop Paul Yugusuk Benjamin of the Episcopal Church of Central Equatorial Internal Province said the church will continue to engage the rebel group of Gen. Thomas Cirilo so that they embrace peaceful means of resolving issues.

Central Equatoria State continues to remain one of the hotspots of Cirilo’s National Salvation Front.

“Our position as church leaders in the country has been very crystal clear as always and as such, we would like to reiterate our commitment towards consolidating efforts geared towards sustainable peace and development in South Sudan,” Yugusuk said.

He said the church is always ready to help the government consolidate sustainable peace to pave way for development.

Emmanuel Adil Anthony, the Governor of Central Equatoria State called on the church to continue praying for peace in the country.

 “I am calling upon you as the church leaders, through prayers, to faithfully continue engaging the holdout groups to denounce violence and join the peace process,” Anthony said.

He noted that total peace and development can only be realized if the holdout groups denounce violence and join the 2018 peace deal.