Catholic Bishops of South Sudan Condemns the Ongoing Violation of Human Rights in Sudan
Sr. Henriette Anne (FSSA)
Following the ongoing war that erupted in Khartoum, Sudan between rival factions of the country’s military government on Saturday, April 15, Catholic Bishops in South Sudan condemned the violation of human rights that is taking place every day.
“Human rights abuses are taking place on daily bases, killing, looting, and raping. Hospitals are being destroyed, and essential services such as access to food, water, and electricity are being denied to the civilian population. In many Sudanese cities, heavy weapons are being used indiscriminately and civilians are being killed. These are unacceptable and we condemn the acts in the strongest possible term”.
In their Friday 30th June statement, they called upon the warring parties to respect the will of the Sudanese people which calls for the two separate military forces to be merged and to come under civilian control.
“The ordinary civilians of Sudan have made their wishes known through the non-violence protests which overthrew President Bashir in 2019, and which continued after the new military takeover in 2021. They want democratic civilian control. We, the Bishops of South Sudan call upon the warring parties to respect the will of the Sudanese people”.
Highlighting the different ways of achieving peace, the prelates on their Friday statement signed by H.G Stephene Ameyu Martin Mulla, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba and Vice President of SCBC, H.L. Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, the Bishop of Tombura-Cambio, H.L Stephene NoNyodho Adhor, Bishop of Malakal, H.L. Mathew Remijo Adam MCCJ, Bishop of Wau, H.L. Christian Carlasarre MCCJ.Bishop of Rumbek. H.L. Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo, Bishop of Yei, H.L. Emmanuel Bernadino Lowi Napeta, Bishop of Torit, and H.L. Santo Loku Pio Doggale, Auxiliary Bishop of Juba called on the international community to prevail over the Sudan’s warring parties to choose dialogue as means to resolve their differences.
Sudan Catholic Bishops have shared their sentiments, expressing their solidarity with their brothers and sister in Sudan, “we express our sadness and concern for the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Sudan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We continue to pray for our brothers Bishops; Archbishops Michael Didi, The Metropolitan Archbishop of Khartoum, H.G. Luis Miguel Munoz Cardaba, The Apostolic Nuncio to Sudan, His Eminence, Gabriel Cardinal Zubeir Wako, H.L. Tombe Trille of El-Obeid Diocese, Bishop Daniel Adwok the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum, with all the Church Personnel, the Christians, and all Sudanese citizens as they suffer the horrible impact of the war”.
They promised that they will continue to provide moral support through their Caritas South Sudan alongside with people of goodwill who are already in support and solidarity with Sudanese.
In conclusion, they commended the government of South Sudan for welcoming refugees fleeing from Sudan and urged them to continue doing so and called upon the international community to provide needed humanitarian aid both within Sudan and in South Sudan and other neighboring countries which are hosting Sudanese refugees.