By Louis Loku
Catholic Church leader Cardinal Dr. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla has called on South Sudanese political actors to settle political, social, and economic differences through dialogue, saying guns should no longer be used as a means of resolving disagreements.
Cardinal Ameyu made the remarks during a meeting with the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Gabriel Bol Deng, who paid a courtesy visit to discuss the country’s forthcoming electoral process.
The Cardinal reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s support for democratic elections and stressed the importance of dialogue in addressing political differences peacefully.
“Our political, social, and economic differences can be discussed and resolved peacefully. Guns should no longer be regarded as a means of resolving our disagreements,” Cardinal Ameyu said.
He also urged South Sudanese political actors to work together and agree on how the elections can be conducted transparently and peacefully.
According to Cardinal Ameyu, political leadership should derive its legitimacy from the people through an electoral process.
“Leadership should ultimately derive its legitimacy from the people through an electoral process,” he said.
The meeting also focused on the role of the Church in promoting peace, dialogue, and responsible participation ahead of the elections.
NEC Chairperson Gabriel Bol Deng reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting an inclusive, transparent, peaceful, and credible electoral process.
Deng said elections should go beyond the act of voting and contribute to national unity, public trust, and responsible citizenship.
“Elections should not be viewed merely as the act of voting but as a national process that should strengthen unity, peace, trust, and responsible citizenship,” Deng said.
He further stressed that the NEC cannot deliver the electoral process alone, highlighting the need for cooperation among religious institutions, political parties, civil society, traditional leaders, and citizens.
The meeting underscored the importance of cooperation between the NEC, the Church, and other national stakeholders in promoting peaceful participation, tolerance, national ownership, and a credible electoral process.