JUBA, JULY 10 2015(CISA) – Catholic Archbishop Paulino Lukudu of Juba Archdiocese has urged the people of South Sudan to put their hope for a better life in God and not in military leaders, reported Catholic Radio Network on July 10.
The Archbishop was speaking during an opening prayer session for South Sudan fourth independence anniversary at the John Garang Mausoleum in Juba.
South Sudan became an independent country after separating from Northern Sudan in January 2011.
President Salva Kiir in his speech promised his efforts in bringing back peace to the country
“As your president, I do hear your cries for peace… “I will not rest until peace is achieved in South Sudan,” he said.
According to the Catholic Radio network, Archbishop Lukudu disclosed that the church has begun a new peace mediation initiative to bring about salvation and stability for reconciliation and forgiveness, urging masses to pray for the success of the new mediation initiative.
He challenged those who have contributed to South Sudan atrocities to repent to have God’s mercy.
The youngest country in the world on Thursday marked four years of independence amid civil strife and acute humanitarian crisis.
South Sudan is still experiencing a cycle of ethnic violence that was sparked in 2013 after president Kiir accused his vice-president of planning a coup, throwing the country into an 18-month conflict.
The country’s economy, which is dependent on oil exports, has been hit hard by the conflict and the collapse of oil prices worldwide.
Tens of thousands have since been killed across the country and millions of others displaced from their homes.
Over 70,000 refugees have fled to Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan last month warned of a possibility of a quarter of a million children facing starvation.
The war torn country has also been facing recurring outbreaks of cholera that together with the ongoing war, has put the country into a worrying political, economic and humanitarian situation.
