AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN – The news of the death of Benedict XVI in areas of the country exacerbated by ethnic conflicts
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Malakal (Agenzia Fides) – The news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reaches the most remote and critical corners of the planet every day. Among these, Agenzia Fides received a testimony from the outskirts of South Sudan. “I am in a very isolated region, Mayom, in the north-west of South Sudan. These localities are so isolated that the news comes little by little – writes Sister Elena Balatti, a Comboni missionary. Someone has heard the news of the death of Benedict XVI through the Internet and especially during the end-of-year thanksgiving liturgy. Immediately a prayer was made for the Lord to welcome his faithful servant to eternal life. A person I met there told me that he appreciated the Pope’s prayer Benedict XVI fidelity to the end”, writes Sister Elena.
In the country, where the majority of the population is Christian, conflicts continue. The situation is particularly dire in Jonglei state, where even Christmas has not granted a truce between armed Nuer and Murle militias.
Various peacekeeping organizations, including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMIS), the African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Troika, the European Union and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) urged the parties concerned to immediately cease hostilities, exercise restraint and respect human rights. South Sudanese leaders have been called on to take urgent steps to end the fighting and ensure the safety of civilians, as well as unimpeded humanitarian access for those affected by the fighting. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 1/3/2022)
Share:
