[The Christian Times by James Magok Chilim] A bishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan has said that mistakes by politicians and government officials should not be seen as tribal or communal. He said that there needs to be no reference to a particular tribe when an individual makes a mistake.

Speaking in Nairobi, Kenya, after a visit from the UK for training, Bishop Elijah Matueny Awet of diocese of Cueibet, said the Anglican Church in Canterbury and Salisbury is praying for peace in South Sudan.

Speaking to TCT, the bishop said the diocese of Salisbury was raising funds to help the displaced people in South Sudan. He said the dominant question church leaders are being asked by many people is, why are you killing one another? Is this a tribal conflict between the Nuer and Dinka?

“As church leaders, we keep saying this is a political conflict and not a tribal one. We are urging parties to the conflict to give peace a chance and to come to the negotiating table and dialogue…the only way peace can be realized in South Sudan is by forgiving each other and letting justice take place,” he said.

Bishop Awet said his diocese was badly affected by the conflict, adding that insecurity was very high and people could not sleep at night in their houses fearing attacks. He told those present that communities from the northern part of Cueibet bordering Bentiu have been displaced.

According to bishop, the cause of all these sufferings is because people are “spiritually corrupt”, especially leaders, being Christians during the day but practicing idol worship and witchcraft at night. Such acts disappoint God, he said. He called upon leaders to repent and turn away from evil and ask God for forgiveness.

The bishop urged leaders from both sides of the conflict to cease from hate speech and incitement that fuel conflict on the ground. Giving instances where some church leaders have taken sides with politicians, he cautioned that church leaders must exercise neutrality at all times and avoid any messages that compromise their faith. 

The bishop also called on the youth to avoid being used for political gains in the name of tribe, which may end up destroying their bright future.