The independence of Southern Sudan may bring a scramble for power among political leaders in the region, a church official warned.
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio told Catholic News Service that most government personnel came from the fighting forces, and with independence there could be new competition among them, a new struggle for power.Bishop Hiiboro warned that some of the dangerous practices of political leaders in northern Sudan, such as control of the media, limited free speech, corruption, nepotism and tribalism, have begun to emerge in the South.
He said he did not want dictators replaced by other dictators.
Bishop Hiirboro added that the Church has prepared itself to keep talking to those in power, as well as to the people of Southern Sudan, to help them see that they have to be the founding fathers of democracy who uphold the rule of law.
The prelate added that the church must help citizens understand that they have to take upon themselves the noble duty of building their own nation.