By Lodu William Odiya
The faith-based leaders have called on the government to grant amnesty to those who took arms against the state.
According to the statement released by the council yesterday, the faith-based leaders encouraged peace and unity in the nation.
The statement was signed by headed by Most Rev. Dr Justin Badi Arama the Primate of Episcopal Church of South Sudan (ECSS) and chair of South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), His Eminence Dr. Stephen Ameyu Martin, the head of Catholic church among other leaders from different churches.
The faith-base leaders called for amnesty and forgiveness as possible means to put the country to peace.
“The church call for general amnesty and national forgiveness, including those in the detention, and those who have taken up arms against the state” the statement partly read.
The call followed a recent development on the announcement by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Joseph Geng Akec that Dr. Riek Machar and eight other co-accused members of the opposition party would appear in court for trial for a range of charges.
Also on Thursday, President Salva Kiir suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and Minister of Petroleum Puot Kang Chuol through a Presidential Order read on the state broadcaster SSBC.
As part of engaging parties to peaceful resolution of the ongoing tensions, the Church asserted its divine mandate to minister peace and reconciliation as demanded by the South Sudanese people.
“We the Heads of Churches, come to you with a message of hope, encouragement, and peace. as a body committed to the spiritual and moral guidance of our nation” statement read.
Furthermore, the statement underscored the church would establish a mechanism for dialogue through a Church Initiative for National Healing and Reconciliation (CINHR).
The statement underlined that the church remains steadfast in their support for a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.
It revealed that the church would convene, for prayers and high-level regional peace engagement.
The statement noted South Sudan’s continues grapple with a profound political and humanitarian crisis, persistent delays in the implementation of R-ARCSS, ongoing sub-national violence, severe economic hardships, and deep erosion of public trust.
“All these have left the peace process fragile and the population in a state of enduring suffering,
Aware of, the need for a critical and timely intervention aimed at breaking the political deadlock that threatens the fragile peace in the country” it read.
According to the statement, the church intervention should be done with the goal of reviving the peace process through creating safe spaces for country wide genuine dialogue and offering a tangible pathway to lasting peace.
Additionally, recognizing that, the nation stands at a perilous crossroads where stagnation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement risks undoing sustained efforts towards cultivating peace in South Sudan,
The statement highlighted that having reflected and prayed over the state of South Sudan, inspired by the church’s call and prophetic Ministry of peace and reconciliation embodied in the Mission of the Church.
It further stressed the church urged the Regional and International Forums like the AACC, WCC, EAC, AU, Peace and Security Council, IGAD and the UN to support the Church led initiative.
They encouraged encourage respective allies within South Sudan to engage constructively with the Church-led process.