The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has visited Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference to evaluate the impact of the Pope’s Visit to the country in February this year.
The delegation arrived on Sunday and conducted training on the peaceful transition process in South Sudan to promote Integral Human Development and advanced regional Targeted Advocacy.
Archbishop George Tambala, of Malawi, says, the Church continues to pray for long-lasting peace in South Sudan.
He added that their mission was also to evaluate the Church’s preparedness for the anticipated general election in 2024.
“We continue to pray for you, for long-lasting peace in this beautiful country, for the good of the enter people of God who continue to suffer in various situations, many of them who are women and children.”
Archbishop Tambala commended the Church in South Sudan for promoting peace through participation in the community dialogue and revitalized agreement parties signed in 2018.
This solidarity visit by the Bishops of AMECEA is to engage and encourage those involved in the peace agreement to fast-track implementation and be in solidarity with the people of South Sudan, The Archbishop stated.
Archbishop Tambala acknowledged the progress made in the peace implementation despite the slow process.
“While the implementation of the agreements remains relatively slow, we appreciate some progress has been made,” he said.
The Cardinal of South Sudan Stephen Ameyu Martin says the Church in South Sudan encourages such targeted advocacy for social and political stability in AMECEA Countries.
This advocacy is very important to address the material deprivation and poverty that afflicts many people in the Region, Cardinal Ameyu states.”
He adds that the Church in South Sudan recognizes that civil progress and economic development are essential for peace and the construction of a new order.
“Our Church also encourages cooperation between Church and State on matters of a great social concern.”
The Cardinal of South Sudan calls on the AMECEA Region to continue advocating for the important solidarity and the implementation of peace.
“The success of your initiative, it’s important that for the first time, you organize this important solidarity visit to South Sudan. We would like you as our partners and our neighbors to help us especially to advocate for this important solidarity and also implementation of peace,”
The Catholic prelates were speaking during the opening of a three-day meeting at the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference in Juba.