The Church’s potential as peacemaker in South Sudan
The “Dialog International” event held by Mission 21 and attended by a selection of prominent figures on June 22, 2018, on the Church’s potential as peacemaker in South Sudan shed light on the complex civil war and the peace work carried out by Mission 21 and its partner organizations. In the politically charged civil war in which ethnic groups are being exploited and incited against each other, the Church is one of the few institutions to still enjoy the trust of the people as it unites the different ethnic groups and gives aid to those in need every day.
The country’s churches have come together in a spirit of ecumenical solidarity to form the South Sudan Council of Churches comprising members of opposing parties and ethnicities. An action plan for peace has been developed collectively, as its Chairman Peter Gai explains. He claims that it is important to create platforms for dialog at all levels in order to promote reconciliation and cope with trauma: “The stories need to be told,” is the message from Peter Gai. This initiative is supported by measures to build advocacy and capacity at various levels.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has also recognized the Church’s potential as peacemaker. The FDFA has appointed Ferdinand von Habsburg-Lothringen as Senior Advisor for the peace and reconciliation work being done by the South Sudan Council of Churches. Ferdinand von Habsburg-Lothringen claims that the Council of Churches made more progress between the opposing parties in three days – when it was last invited to act as moderator – than the politicians managed in a year. One of the greatest challenges comes from people’s repeated traumatic experience of war: “Every single person in South Sudan has been hurt so badly, both mentally and physically. That makes it extremely difficult to reach a peaceful consensus and a human solution.” Politically speaking, the economic interests of different actors in oil-rich South Sudan are considered one of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of peace.
The next “Dialog International” to be arranged by Mission 21 is about Nigeria and is taking place in Basel on September 10 between 18.30 and 20.30: “How hatred originated and how peace is growing in Nigeria.”
Mission 21 is also organizing a full-day conference on reconciliation and appreciating diversity in Indonesia and Switzerland on September 14 in Basel.
