South Sudan’s Catholic bishops have voiced dissatisfaction with the sluggish implementation of a revitalized peace deal reached three years ago to end a five-year war.
In a letter signed by Archbishop of Juba Stephen Ameyu Martin, the bishops state that “the fundamental causes of the violence must be addressed.”
They asked South Sudan’s political authorities to change their hearts and give the people of South Sudan independence.
“We are also worried about our country’s diminishing civic space. “We want press freedom, expression freedom, free speech and assembly, so that all voices may be heard,” the statement said.
Archbishop Bert Van Megen, the Vatican Ambassador to Kenya and South Sudan, attended the conference.
Although President Salva Kiir and his former arch-rival, now First Vice-President, Riek Machar, established a unity government in February last year, they have failed to build a united national army, which is a crucial component of the 2018 peace deal.
In many areas of the nation, there is a high level of insecurity.
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