Catholic Archbishop Decries Violence in South Sudanese State, Says “work of the devil”

“We can’t be violent, because violence is unnecessary,’’ the South Sudanese Archbishop said.

On March 26, Eastern Equatoria State officials and Jonglei community leaders agreed to a planned reconciliation conference to restore relations between the host communities and pastoralists in Magwi County.

The reported violent conflict in Magwi County adds to the number of violent clashes recorded in parts of the East-Central African nation in recent weeks.

Last week, renewed fighting broke out between South Sudan’s army and the armed opposition forces, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO). The clashes, which started in Maiwuy County over the last weekend, reportedly spread to Longechuk County.

South Sudan’s army and the SPLA-IO opposition group led by the country’s first Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar, have accused each other over who violated the ceasefire agreement in Upper Nile State County.

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Speaking at the March 27 fundraiser, Archbishop Ameyu said there is violence across the East-Central African nation, and with “tribes turning against each other.”

The Local Ordinary of Juba Archdiocese who doubles as the Apostolic Administrator of Torit Diocese further said, “We must ask ourselves why have we turn against each other.”

He appealed to the people of God to “pray hard” in order to stop the devil from destroying the world’s youngest nation that gained independence from Sudan in July 2011.

“We must pray hard because the devil wants to destroy the nation and if we do not pray like Christians, if we want to serve other gods we will perish and the nation will perish,” the 58-year-old Catholic Church leader said.

He made reference to the planned visit of Pope Francis to South Sudan saying, “With the coming of the Holy Father let us prepare and make a tournament of prayers that the Holy Father comes here and leaves us with strengthened hope, love, faith; and that is what we need.”