 has concluded its Civic Education and Observer Mission project by presenting the South Sudan Election Ecumenical Network Charter to the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCBC) for review and endorsement. The charter aims to guide church leaders and institutions in their involvement with the electoral process and transition in South Sudan.){kind=link}
By Ginaba Lino
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has concluded its Civic Education and Observer Mission project by presenting the South Sudan Election Ecumenical Network Charter to the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCBC) for review and endorsement. The charter aims to guide church leaders and institutions in their involvement with the electoral process and transition in South Sudan.
The South Sudan Election Ecumenical Network will provide a framework for cooperation among the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conferences, SSCBC, and other church organizations. Its goal is to harmonize efforts, reduce duplication, and minimize competition during the transition process.
Fr. Paul Munga’thia Igweta, the Coordinator for Promoting Integral Human Development (PIHD) at AMECEA, explained that the project aims to create a platform for the SSCBC to engage with key electoral and transition bodies, helping church leaders deliberate on their role in shaping the country’s future. The project’s key outcomes include establishing a national resource pool for civic engagement and empowering local teams on election-related matters.
The project is now focused on building sustainable structures and advocating for continued progress. Fr. John Ope, Coordinator for Justice and Peace at SSSCBC, praised AMECEA for its dedication and impact over the past year, expressing readiness to move forward after reviewing the charter. He also called for continued collaboration between AMECEA, SSSCBC, and SSCC to ensure the project’s success.
On behalf of the SSSCBC secretariat, Deputy Secretary General Fr. Louse Romano affirmed that the AMECEA program is well-structured and will help guide the Church in serving the people of South Sudan. He emphasized the Church’s vital role not only as civic educators but also as instruments of peace and reconciliation.
Together with the SSSCBC, AMECEA designed the project with the belief that South Sudan’s social, economic, and political transition requires a coordinated, strategic agenda for peace and national stability. Key actions to date include peace and conflict context analysis, national training of trainers, diocesan capacity-building sessions, and consultations with key church bodies in South Sudan.
Moving forward, the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops’ Conference, through its Justice and Peace Commission, will continue to implement the program with ongoing technical support from AMECEA.