Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Juba (Agenzia Fides) - "It was not possible to celebrate the Easter Triduum in Malakal due to clashes between the Shilluk and Dinka tribes" refer to Agenzia Fides missionary sources from the capital of the South Sudan State of Upper Nile.
"The conflict between the central government of President Salva Kiir and the rebellion, led by former Vice President Riek Machar, is having serious consequences on the outskirts of South Sudan left to themselves" explain Fides sources, that for security reasons ask for anonymity.
"One of the most serious consequences of this neglect is the reawakening of conflicts, often of tribal nature, such as that between these two tribes. A dispute on the delimitation of a common area exploded in a conflict during Holy Week.
This happens due to the lack of a governor able to engage tribal leaders and other traditional authorities in a dialogue to resolve disputes of this kind", says the source.
"What happened in the north of Malakal also happens in other parts of the Country and makes us understand the complexity of the situation in South Sudan, where besides national conflict, several local conflicts have exploded" concludes Fides sources.
The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), the body that gathers all the main Christian denominations in the Country, including the Catholic Church, presented a peace plan to resolve the civil war, focused on reconciliation among the different national components. Christian leaders have also announced plans to play a leading role in peace talks taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the mediation of IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), the regional cooperation body to which South Sudan belongs. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/04/2015)
