Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Juba (Agenzia Fides) - "War is evil (...).There is no moral justification for any further killing. The fighting and killing must stop immediately and unconditionally" say the Catholic Bishops of South Sudan in a message posted at the end of a meeting that was held in Juba from September 23 to 25, sent to Fides Agency.
The civil war between the government forces of President Salva Kiir and those loyal to former Vice President, Riek Machar, has created a humanitarian tragedy, as pointed out by the Bishops.
"Thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced. Our traumatised population has been re-traumatised by atrocities we have rarely seen before. Displaced people are living in appalling conditions, whether in the countryside, or in UN camps in the cities, or as refugees in neighbouring countries. A famine is looming in parts of the country" says the message.
The Bishops complain that the hope deriving from national independence (South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011) are jeopardized by the civil war, which has blocked any development project. "It can be said that peace is another word for development, says the message. "While seven out of ten States are not directly affected by the violence, their people are still suffering and are still in need of development activities".
The document highlights that one of the negative consequences of the war is the emergence of tribalism closely linked to political corruption.
" Our politics is becoming ethnic, with perceptions from various communities that one tribe or other is favoured (...) - Even within our churches, elements of tribalism are creeping in and creating suspicion, hindering our efforts to work for peace and reconciliation".
"Tribalism is allied with corruption and nepotism. Political office is perceived by many as synonymous with access to power and wealth, and communities often feel that they need their own tribesmen and women in power in order for that community to have access to resources". The Bishops launch an appeal for everyone to contribute to peace and invite the faithful to prayer for national reconciliation. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/09/2014)
