Ecumenical Network on South Sudan in Europe and North America express its deep solidarity with the people of South Sudan in Christmas.
The Network articulated unity with youth and women, church, civil society, leaders and all those working for peace, justice, and denounce violence on a daily basis.
“We share in the hope of this festive season, with sure trust in the Lord to continue bringing light where there is darkness”, they said.
The Network called for nonviolence, urging leaders to implement the revitalized peace agreement in letter and spirit.
It supports the decision by the Swedish judicial authorities to hold representatives of Lundin Energy to account for assisting war crimes in South Sudan.
“We support the Church and its Council that stood with affected communities twenty years ago and still does today”, it said.
The Network called upon stakeholders on various platforms to continue keeping South Sudan high on the international humanitarian and diplomatic communities’ agenda.
It called for support to the South Sudan Council of Churches’ Action Plan for Peace, the grassroots justice and peace initiatives of civil society, women and youth groups.
“We must not turn our backs on the people of South Sudan; we must renew and reinvigorate diplomatic and financial efforts to support communities of the world’s newest nation. We continue to stand with the people of South Sudan”, the Network vowed.
Ecumenical Network on South Sudan in Europe and North America express solidarity in its Christmas message 2021 entitled: “Lightning a Candle of Hope amidst darkness: An ecumenical call for nonviolence and just peace in South Sudan
The Network comprises of Act Church of Sweden, CAFOD, Christian aid UK, Christian Council of Norway, Church of Scotland, Danish Church Aid, Kairos Canada, PAX, PMU/ Pingstmissionens Utvecklingssamarbete, Presbyterian Church USA, Norwegian Church Aid, Tearfund, Trocaire