South Sudan Council of Churches warn of 'Wasted decade'

By Our Correspondent, JUBA South Sudan

The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), in their independence anniversary message, said that there is little for South Sudanese to celebrate after ten years of independence and that the next decade should usher in a new peace, justice, freedom, and prosperity for all.  

“As we mark ten (10) years of our independence today, with pains in our hearts, there is little to celebrate. It is truly a difficult time and experience for us, the people of South Sudan. Our hearts continue to groan with pain, anguish, turmoil, despair, and misery as lives are lost every day in every corner of our country,” the message read in part. “Conflict has become the context in which we are evolving with rampant proxy inter-communal violence, increasing cases of sexual violence, revenge killings, and land grabbing and child abduction.”

According to SSCC, these protracted armed conflicts have not only destabilized peace but have also retarded the socio-economic development of the country.

Reading the message, SCC General Secretary Fr. James Oyet Latansio, said, “These conflicts have rendered our first ten years of independence, "a wasted decade". We are at a standstill in many ways!” 

He added, “We, the people of South Sudan in all our diversities, both at home and abroad united in celebrating the historic attainment of the independence of our beloved country, the Republic of South Sudan on 9 July 2011. The world descended on Juba, to celebrate with us! There was euphoria and triumphalism marking the birth of the World's Newest Nation, the Republic of South Sudan,” SSCC’s message said, “We hoped that we had finally arrived in the Promised Land after decades of struggles and selfless sacrifices for a better country. As stated in the Text of the Declaration of our Independence, the selfless sacrifices of our martyrs, heroes, and heroines were for "the cause of justice, freedom, and prosperity for our people".” 

“On this day ten years ago, we expected a new ray of hope, optimism, and reign of sustainable peace with prosperity. However, those jubilations and celebrations were short-lived as the nation in just two years descended into violent conflicts that have devastated all aspects of South Sudanese lives. Painfully, millions of our citizens, who were hopeful and jubilant on this day ten years ago, were suddenly impoverished, made hopeless, and reduced to extreme dependence on humanitarian assistance,” Fr. Oyet added.

The SSCC said the revitalized peace agreement remains the most viable framework for peace but is unfortunately stifled by a lack of political will and sluggish and varying implementation.

“The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R­ ARCSS) signed in 2018, was the most viable framework for peace and a beacon of hope for South Sudanese. Unfortunately, its slow and inconsistent implementation is very worrying and shatters all hopes to restore stability through this Peace Agreement; and there appears to be a lack of political will,” SSCC’s message said.

The churches said they will continue to stand strong with the people of South Sudan in advocating for sustainable Peace, Justice, Healing, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation in the land. They urged the non-signatories to the peace deal to dialogue, reach a peaceful resolution, and usher in sustainable peace.

“On this occasion of commemorating the first decade of our independence, the SSCC declares the Second Decade of South Sudan's Independence as a period of a new beginning of Peace, Justice, Freedom, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Prosperity for all our people. It must not be another lost decade!” SSCC said.

“It is an opportunity to rescue our people from imposed destitution and sustain their livelihoods. In this second decade, we must stop the self-sabotage of our collective future and prosperity. We must reflect on what went wrong in the first decade after independence, learn from those experiences, and rise to the collective responsibility of this generation to deliver our country from its current predicaments. Never again shall our people be merciless victims of our own hands!”

The SSCC called on the Global Ecumenical Church Fellowship, the International and Development Partners and friends of South Sudan, not to abandon the country in its journey into the next ten years.