JUBA SEPTEMBER 4, 2015(CISA) – Archbishop Paulino Lukudu of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba on September 1 pledged to share with the Pope the situation of South Sudan for the Holy Father to pray and bless the young country.
He was speaking to journalists at Juba International Airport prior to his departure to Rome, where he was going for medical checkup and discussion of pastoral activities with Pope Francis, Radio Bakhita reported.
The archbishop welcomed President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar signature of the agreement to end the suffering of South Sudanese. He further appreciated IGAD and international community’s efforts to bring peace to the country.
“We appreciate the collective hard work in the implementation of the agreement and urge all South Sudanese to accept each other and live together as brothers and sisters,” said Archbishop Loro.
South Sudan rebels loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar said September 3 that they are committed to the implementation of the peace deal signed last month in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This came as a three-day workshop on transitional security arrangements in South Sudan gets under way September 5 in Addis Ababa.
Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, the secretary for foreign affairs of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), said the rebels are committed to a peaceful and democratic South Sudan and have selected a team of officers to attend the security arrangements workshop.
“We are committed to this peace, and we have selected 11 senior army officers to attend this workshop in Addis Ababa on the fifth of September to the eighth of September,” Voice of America quoted Amb Gatkuoth as saying.
