Support for South Sudan’s Reconciliation Initiatives: IGAD’s Call to Action
The IGAD Heads of State have underscored the importance of reconciliation initiatives in South Sudan, calling on religious, traditional, and civil leaders to support grassroots peace dialogues. They expressed concerns regarding the nation’s worsening security situation and recommended collaborative efforts such as the Tumaini Initiative to ensure community inclusion and promote peace. Cardinal Ameyu highlighted the Church’s mediating role as essential for fostering reconciliation.
In a recent assembly, members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) emphasized the need for support from faith-based leaders, traditional figures, and civil society to enhance reconciliation initiatives in South Sudan. During their 43rd Extraordinary Assembly held on March 12, 2025, the IGAD Heads of State praised the ongoing grassroots peace dialogues aimed at fostering a stable environment in the world’s youngest nation, which became independent in July 2011.
The assembly issued a statement urging religious and traditional leaders, as well as civil society members, to advocate for the inclusion and empowerment of women, youth, and underrepresented groups in the reconciliation processes. The IGAD members, which include leaders from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia, virtually convened to discuss the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, marked by an increase in violence and violations of ceasefire agreements.
IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu provided an update on the alarming security conditions in South Sudan, particularly referencing a violent encounter on March 4, 2025, when white army combatants attacked a government forces encampment. He noted that the situation escalated further during a UN Mission operation on March 7, resulting in tragic casualties. The report highlighted that South Sudan is at a critical juncture, with the potential threat of renewed widespread hostilities and regional instability.
To address these growing tensions, the report recommended the implementation of immediate collaborative efforts to promote reconciliation. It stressed the importance of supporting the Tumaini Initiative, which aims to engage non-signatories of the peace agreements and create a comprehensive strategy for community inclusion and trust rebuilding.
Amid these challenges, religious leaders and faith-based organizations have taken a significant role in peace-building initiatives. In December 2024, Cardinal Stephene Ameyu from the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba expressed hope regarding the Tumaini Peace Initiative, which seeks to mediate the ongoing civil conflicts by involving previously excluded groups. While acknowledging skepticism towards peace efforts due to past failures, he urged against a sense of despair, underscoring the Church’s vital role in fostering dialogue and reconciliation for lasting peace in South Sudan.
In conclusion, the IGAD assembly has called for concerted efforts from various societal leaders to support reconciliation in South Sudan. The emphasis on grassroots dialogues and the inclusion of marginalized groups is critical in addressing the severe security challenges facing the nation. Cardinal Ameyu’s remarks reflect an optimistic perspective on the potential for peace through collaborative dialogue, highlighting the significant role that faith-based entities can play in this process.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
