Africa-Press – South-Sudan. First Vice President, Riek Machar is appealing to the church to use the pulpits to help spread the message of peace and reconciliation in the country.
While admitting that the exercise is not an easy undertaking, especially for the government, Machar said that there is hope and that a concerted effort is needed to help bring everyone together.
“We still have people who are in IDP camps. There is conflict in Jonglei, the Upper Nile, and some parts of the country.
“The time has come to disseminate the message of peace in the country,” Machar told congregants at the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan.
The congregation consisted of the moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshield, Taban Deng Gai, the Vice President for Infrastructure Development, national ministers, and other top government officials.
Machar said that most South Sudanese are still in the IDPS camps and with other refugees, because the country has not done enough campaigns to sensitize citizens on the need for forgiveness, a lack of which has led to retaliatory attacks.
“I know reconciliation is very difficult, and it’s not a one-day event. It is a process. “It’s a work we must do every day, starting with the church and the people; then this country will be peaceful,” he added.
The FVP further urged the leadership of the church to engage other South Sudanese, especially those in PoCs on the importance of forgiveness.
The conflict, which first broke out in 2013, has displaced thousands of South Sudanese. In 2022 alone, close to 900,000 people were estimated to have fled their homes due to violence.
For More News And Analysis About South-Sudan Follow Africa-Press
