The Archbishop of Juba, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Mulla, on Monday, during a momentous event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Torit mutiny and the end of 70 days of prayers for peace, offered prayers for genuine peace and reconciliation across South Sudan.
The event, held at Torit Freedom Square, was organized by the South Sudan Council of Churches, in collaboration with Prayer Network for South Sudan, Christ Ambassadors for Peace, South Sudan Renewal for Christ, and the broader Christian Community across the nation, brought citizens together in prayer for peace, reconciliation, and national healing.
Cardinal Ameyu prayed for South Sudan’s leaders to engage in constructive dialogue to lead the nation to everlasting peace.
“We pray for a deep and lasting peace to remain in every corner of South Sudan. May this peace be more than just the absence of war; may it be the tranquility of order built upon justice and charity. We ask for the grace of true dialogue among all the people, inspire leaders and citizens alike to engage in open and honest conversations to listen with understanding and to speak with respect,” he prayed. “May communication flourish, fostering mutual understanding and breaking down divisions that hinder progress and unity. Grant Lord, the spirit of reconciliation to prevail, where there has been hurt, bring healings, where there has been division, forge unity, where there has been mistrust, build bridges of trust.”
Cardinal Ameyu prayed to God to help all South Sudanese to embrace forgiveness and to walk together for the common good, recognizing the dignity of every person, regardless of their background.
“May the example of those who fought for justice without violence, using only the weapons of truth and justice, inspire current and future generations,” he prayed. “May the beatitude that calls us to be mixed merciful peacemakers guide the actions of all who seek to build a better future for South Sudan. Help them, lord, to face conflict constructively and non-violently, transforming tensions into life-giving unity.”
Meanwhile, Edmond Yakani, a representative of civil society, accused politicians of being the cause of all the suffering in the country.
“All of you here who are bearing political titles with your different political parties, the problem is with you, not with the citizens. Your appetite and competition for power have created instability. When the time is not for you in leadership, you like to dig a hole for whoever is in leadership,” he charged. “If this country is cursed, then the politicians take this responsibility. We are not joking, but telling the truth. The first bullet in Torit was not shot for you (politician) to come and loot our resources, and send citizens to refugee camps in Uganda and Kenya.”
“Military uniforms are now used to terrorize citizens; disagreements should not be a source of arresting, detaining, and threatening people because you are not bigger than God,” Yakani added.
He accused political leaders of building and buying houses in Nairobi and Kampala, and other places, with the country’s resources while the masses suffer.
For his part, Primate of the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Bishop of Juba, Dr. Justin Arama Badi, highlighted sins of bloodshed, corruption, tribal hatred, revenge, injustice, and the failure of government to steward the land in righteousness.
“We renounce every blood covenant with death, war, tribal revenge, and sorcery, all alliances with foreign powers that enslave rather than empower,” he prayed. “We recovenant to work in God’s ways, statutes, and purposes to honor Christ as the foundation of our nation to raise righteous leaders, just laws, and a worshiping nation.”