Vatican delegates, His Eminence Michael Cardinal Czerny has called on leaders of South Sudan to pray and work hard, to ensure that it is nonviolent, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful as the country prepares for the general elections.
Cardinal Czerny who is the Prefect for the Dicastery of Integral Human Development at the Vatican came to South Sudan over the weekend to attend the first anniversary of Pope Francis’s Visit marked on 3rd February 2024.
He met President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday and expressed the support of Catholics for a peaceful election in South Sudan.
Cardinal Czerny warned the people of South Sudan that this is a critical moment in the political life of the country that needs good preparations.
“As you prepare for the general elections, pray and work hard to ensure that it is nonviolent, fair, transparent, credible, and peaceful. “To achieve this, there is the groundwork to be done, putting into place needed infrastructures in the political sphere, preparing your minds and hearts for a possible transition.”
Cardinal Czerny states that a peaceful transfer of power not only indicates political maturity, but it also assures good governance and holistic development.
He urges the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU), to be faithful to the peace agreement, not just to them, but also members of all signers of the peace agreement.
“I therefore urge you to be faithful to the peace agreement, not just you but also members of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU), and all signers of the peace agreement.”
Your integrity and commitment must bring about the yet-unrealized remaining steps for the election process, “Says the Prefect for the Dicastery of Integral Human Development at the Vatican.”
Cardinal Michael believes that the full implementation of these prerequisites will be a guarantee to the population of South Sudan that never again will there be bloodshed.
“The full implementation of these prerequisites will be a guarantee to the population of South Sudan that never again will there be bloodshed, never again will South Sudanese fear insecurity in their own Country, and never again will the South Sudanese need to seek refuge in other countries due to violence.”
He appeals to the government of South Sudan not to forget that God is watching over you as a Shepherd and a Judge.
“This is your responsibility as leaders. Do not forget that God is watching over you as a Shepherd and a Judge, and do not forget to root even this work in prayer.”
He encourages the government of South Sudan to continue to cooperate with the efforts of Sant’ Egidio and other actors in inviting the groups that are resistant to participate in the process.
“For sustainable peace to be realized, it is important to include everybody in the process. I encourage you to continue to cooperate with the efforts of Sant’ Egidio and other actors in inviting the groups that are resistant to participate in the process.”
His eminence narrates that, the Holy Father called upon the leaders of this nation to ensure the delivery of basic social services, provide good governance and proper management of public resources, and end the widespread community violence.