By Andrew Kaufa smm
Leaders of the Republic of South Sudan government and the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) who recently met at Community of Sant’Egidio’s headquarters in Rome have taken a critical step towards reconciliation, committing themselves to address the root causes of the conflict that has exposed their people to devastating civil war and unprecedented suffering. Obviously, the AMECEA family commends the initiative but prays for God’s intervention that all parties reciprocate to these regional and international efforts towards lasting peace in the country.
Signing the declaration on the peace process in South Sudan on 12th January 2020 in Rome, the Sudan leaders in Government (SPLM-IG) as well as those in opposition group (SPLM-IO) appreciate the “relentless spiritual and moral appeal for peace and reconciliation and fraternity made by religious leaders particularly Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Sudanese religious leaders.”
In affirming their will to foster political dialogue in order to facilitate further reconciliation by addressing the root causes of the conflict in the country, the Sudanese leaders have also declared their conviction that the current conflict in the country requires a comprehensive political engagement even with the non-signatory parties to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) made in Addis Ababa, in order to achieve inclusivity and sustainable peace.
“We solemnly declare to commit/ recommit and adhere to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) of December 2017 to avoid any further armed confrontation across the country by the signatories and non-signatories so as to create a conducive environment for dialogue to resolve the conflict,” reads the statement which also appreciates the role that is being played by the the international and more particularly the long engagement of the Community of Santa’Egidio.
The declaration is signed by Mr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin representing the Government of the Republic of South Sudan; Mr. Thomas Cirillo Swaka, Mr. Paul Malong Awan Anei and Mr. Amanuel Yoanes Yor Akor Ajwanim among those representing South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA); Mr. Henry Dilah Odwar the SPLM-IO Deputy Chairman as witness; Mr. Samuel Tessema as IGAD observer; and Mr. Paolo Impagliazzo Secretary General of Sant’Egidio as facilitator.
According to Sant’Egidio’s Bulletin of January 13, the Rome Declaration on the Peace Process in South Sudan has three cornerstones namely, the commitment to cessation of hostilities starting 15thJanuary 2020; commitment to discuss and evaluate together the mechanisms to resolve differences in Sant’Egidio; and the guarantee for humanitarian organizations to be able to operate in the country.
Sant’Egidio is recognized as a network of Christian communities born in Rome in 1968 through the initiative of Andrea Riccardi. Characterized by their life of prayer, option for the poor and working for peace, it is found in over 70 countries worldwide. In recent years, the Community has been very involved in conflict resolution and peace building initiatives in African countries such as Mozambique.
In the report, Mr. Paolo Impagliazzo expresses gratitude to all the parties involved for their efforts in bringing together all the political leaders of South Sudan for the first time, adding that this is a result of many working days but more particularly Sant’Egidio’s commitment to facilitate political dialogue in South Sudan.
Commenting on the development, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama the Archbishop of Gulu in Uganda, whose archdiocese is hosting many refugees from South Sudan and he too is highly involved in the inter-religious initiatives towards peace in South Sudan says it is his prayer that the the people of South Sudan will reciprocate to the initiative.
“I am happy to hear about this declaration. It is only my hope and prayer that the two parties – the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the Opposition – will keep it. You know that the Holy Father is very much involved in it; we too are involved in it. But that is my prayer and hope,” says Archbishop Odama.
On his part, the AMECEA Secretary General Fr Anthony Makunde has also commended the initiatives taken by Sant’Egidio and all the regional and international partners to bring lasting peace to South Sudan.
“As Saint Paul said, when one organ is sick the whole body feels sick. Therefore, any efforts towards bringing lasting peace to South Sudan are for the good of the entire AMECEA family. Our appeal is to our brothers and sisters in South Sudan to reciprocate to these efforts so that we may put our efforts together towards this common course. We assure them of our prayers and support, asking our Lord the Prince of Peace to intervene,” says Fr Makunde.