President Salva Kiir has reaffirmed his government commitment not to take the country back to war.
He promised to continue implementing the revitalised peace agreement in letter and spirit.
In his speech presented by Dr Barnabas Benjamin Marial, the minister of presidential affairs, during the celebration of 100 years of Lui Diocese centenary on Monday, Kiir said peace is a priority for his government.
“President Kiir handed his message to me to be given to you at this celebration. I will read his message strictly, it’s his speech and it’s supposed to be read by him. Unfortunately, due to some very important issues that need his attention, he could not make it,” Dr Benjamin told the pilgrims.
Preaching peace
President Kiir congratulated the people of great Mundri for the celebration of 100 years for the establishment of Christianity in Moru land.
He called on the people as well as the entire Western Equatoria State to seize the moment and preach the words of peace and shun hatred among themselves.
He informed the citizens of the progress of the peace implementation but also acknowledged some stalemates in the security arrangements.
He said the spirit of peace implementation was high and the intention of the leaders is not to take people back to war.
“This is president’s message: ‘that I will not take my people back to war again.’ He is not going to see war again at his watch, this is a very important message to the people of WES as well as the whole country.”
Kiir in his statement called on all faithful groups including Muslims to preach words of peace across the country.
“We need to go out all hearted and say peace has come and we need to protect it. It is the future of our children, peace is the priority, it’s for the future of our children, mother, father. Let us accept peace,” Kiir’s statement read in part.
He also promised to visit counties of WES soon as part of his peace mission including other states.
He reiterated the government commitment to embarking on developmental projects.
Some of the major projects the country is undertaking include Juba-Mundri road, Yambio-Tambura-Wau road, and Yei, Bangolo-Tali road.
According to president Kiir, all these roads shall be tarmacked.
He also informed the congregation about the peace talks with the SOMMA group of Thomas Cirillo, Paul Molong and Pagan Amum.
Kiir said the government and the holdout groups are set to resume talks earlier in January, government head of delegations.
Christianity, Education and Health were brought to Greater Amadi in early 19203 by Scotland’s missionary, Dr Kenneth Grant Frazer and his wife Hellen Galbraith.
The centenary was supposed to be conducted in 2020 but it was postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 and financial constraints.
In December, Archbishop of Internal Province of Amadi, Stephen Dokolo headed a delegation to President Salva Kiir’s office in Juba and submitted an invitation letter to attend the celebration.
Although Kiir had initially accepted the invitation but did not show up due to the spike in cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Dr Benjamin told the pilgrims that he was delegated the due by President Kiir due to COVID-19 in the country that did not allow him to be in a crowded area.
In attendance was the Speaker of South Sudan Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Jemma Nunu Kumba, Minister of Public Service, Joseph Bangasi Bagasoro, Governor of Western Equatoria State Lt Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba with his cabinet members, Greater Mundri county commissioners, Bishops from Juba, Greater Amadi politicians at the National Government, Greater Amadi communities who were in diasporas.
Dr. Benjamin has announced a donation of SSP10,000,000 from President Kiir to the steering committee of the centenary as part of his contribution.