Cardinal of England calls for end to South Sudan violence
July 13, 2016 (JUBA) – President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales have called and peace and an immediate end to the violence broke out between South Sudan’s main rival factions in the capital, Juba, last week.
He called on South Sudanese political leaders to commit themselves to peace.
“Our thoughts are with those who have been killed particularly in Juba and in Wau and with their families”, South Sudan Catholic Radio quoted the Cardinal saying.
He appealed that the various church compounds be regarded as places of sanctuary.
The Cardinal Nichols also urged members of the international community to look into the South Sudan situation and devise mechanism for peace and stability.
“Our thoughts are with our brother Bishops in South Sudan and we assure them that they are not forgotten”, stressed the Cardinal.
FIGHTING DENOUNCED
Meanwhile, Pax Christi International strongly denounced the fighting in South Sudan between the government soldiers and the country’s armed opposition forces.
The organization, in a statement, said it was deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in the young nation contrary to commitments made in the peace deal.
It however urged all parties to the conflict to immediately cease the hostilities.
“UNMISS [United Nations Mission in South Sudan] and humanitarian actors should be allowed access to civilians in need, the organization said in a release.
It further called for an end to the weapons around the world that facilitate violence and make the road to a just and lasting peace and stability extremely difficult.
(ST)