Catholic Diocese in South Sudan Refutes Claims Truck Delivering Aid was Loaded with Guns

In May, the Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CODEP), the social wing CDTY, raised alarm over “a humanitarian crisis” that had been sparked by intercommunal clashes in the South Sudanese County of Yambio.

In the July 17 statement, Fr. Agbia emphasizes the role of the Catholic Church in ending fighting in Yambio, saying, “This is the teaching that the Church can never veer away from and become an agent and promoter of violence.” 

He describes the July 16 allegations as “false” and contradictory to what the Church in South Sudan stands for. 

The member of Clergy of CDTY says that there had never been a vehicle of the Diocese detained by the National Security in Yambio on issues related to the security. 

He says that security officials in Yambio had informed the administration of CDTY that there hadn't been a vehicle loaded with food items and guns that had been seized at the checkpoint of Bazungua and currently parked within their premises or compound in Yambio. 

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According to Fr. Agbia, the allegations of arms trafficking were only aimed at tarnishing the image of the Church in South Sudan.

“The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio urges the individual or individuals behind the efforts of tarnishing the image of the Church to stop the propaganda,” the Catholic Priest says. 

He adds, “The Church will continue to pray for the conversion of those individuals and all those involved in violence so that they become agents of peace in our beloved homeland.”

“We are all tired of hatred, divisions, sufferings, and violence. Such false allegations promote disunity, fear, hatred, and violence in our community. Despite the efforts of few individuals to tarnish the image of the Church, the Diocese will not be discouraged from its efforts to promote and preach the language of love, peace, unity, and justice,” Fr. Agbia says in the statement shared with ACI Africa.  

The CDTY, he reiterates, “refutes this false allegation and wants the public to know about the facts.”

“Hence, anyone who doubts and wants to find out the truth for themselves can contact the National Security in Yambio,” the South Sudanese Catholic Priest says. 

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.