ESS minister urges communities to forgive, embrace unity during festivities
The minister said as Christians across the world prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the conflicting communities within the state should embrace togetherness, love and forgiveness
By Theophilous Ochang
The minister of information and communication in Eastern Equatoria state, Elia John Ahaji, has urged the conflicting communities in the state to put aside their differences and embrace togetherness, love and forgiveness as Christmas approaches.
Ahaji was speaking to journalists after a regular Council of Ministers meeting in Torit, Eastern Equatoria state, on Thursday.
The minister said as Christians across the world prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on the 25th of this month, the conflicting communities within the state should embrace togetherness, love and forgiveness
“This is the time we should be close to one another than ever. Let us embrace peace within the communities that have been having some conflict here and there. Forget your differences and put the behind you. As we are going to receive the prince of peace, let us receive him with clean heart. Also, let us be ready to forgive those who have wronged us in the process of executing of our daily activities,” he said.
He further called on communities to always demonstrate their support to the government, starting from the grassroots to the top, citing that they are the agents of peace to the societies.
“Be ready to forgive one another and support your government. The government am referring to starts from the sub –chief. You have the chief with you there in the payams. Support them. These are the agents of peace within our societies,” he said.
Elia added that despites the current economic hardship threatening the lives of the citizens in the country, the public should embrace generosity, protect lives and property of others.
“During this challenging moment of economic hardship. Let us share, let us protect the lives of our own people, and let us protect the property of our own people.”
He warned against criminal elements such as road ambushes and looting that have been rampant on the highways, behaviours that he said were not a reflection of Christian values.
“Those of you who go to the road side and loot, those are not behaviours that carry the Christian spirit and values. You are told to ask and you shall be given, knock the door and it will be opened. Don’t resort to ambushing and robbing people at night, as this is what Christian values demand.”
“This is the time we should be close to one another than ever. Let us embrace peace within the communities that have been having some conflict here and there,” Elia John Ahaji, Minister of Information in Eastern Equatoria state.