The clerics told the delegates to the Tumaini Initiative to put aside their political interests for the interests of the suffering people of South Sudan.

By Anak Dut

The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) has called on the parties at the Tumaini peace talks to negotiate in good faith to end the continuous suffering of citizens.

The clerics told the delegates to the Tumaini Initiative to put aside their political interests for the interests of the suffering people of South Sudan.

In a statement released on Tuesday, they urged the political leaders to embrace the Tumaini Initiative as a beacon of hope to demonstrate to the world that the leaders of South Sudan can overcome their differences in pursuit of peace and justice.

The statement followed the ongoing disagreement between the government delegation and the holdout group, the United People’s Alliance over the already signed eight protocols.

In response, the church leaders encouraged the leaders to reflect on the people of South Sudan who have endured immense suffering as its time comes for a renewed commitment to a just and sustainable future as they gather to engage in the Tumaini Initiative.

“The church further urged the leaders of parties to approach these negotiations in goodwill, with a spirit of compromise and a shared commitment to the greater good of the suffering people,” the statement added.

The clerics indicated that the responsibility the politicians bear is not merely political but also moral; an obligation to ensure that the pain and struggles of the citizens do not continue endlessly.

However, the South Sudan Council of Churches stressed its commitment to standing firm in its belief that failure is not an option as continuous violence brings nothing but devastation to South Sudan.

They condemned violence as a means of resolving differences and strongly advocated for dialogue as the only path forward that fosters mutual understanding and builds consensus to address the deep-rooted issues facing the nation.

“It is through dialogue, not violence, that we the dignity and aspirations of all South Sudanese will find solutions that honor.”

“The church further urged the leaders of parties to approach these negotiations in goodwill, with a spirit of compromise and a shared commitment to the greater good of the suffering people,” the statement added.