"Love Your Neighbor - A United Call for Peace, Justice and Lasting Goodwill Along Our Shared Border" is the subject of an Open Letter from the Bishop of Liwolo to the Presidents of Uganda and South Sudan. The Rt Revd Joseph Aba Nicanor's letter was sent following border conflicts on July 28, when eight people died.
As reported in Anglican News, the incident took place on shared borders in the Nyaingamuda area, Bori Boma of Kangapo II Payam, Kajo-Keji. News reports state that the violence claimed the lives of at least eight soldiers, between Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) and South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF).
The church has been providing support, including searching for families, identifying lost or separated children, providing humanitarian assistance and spiritual comfort to those affected.
Bishop Joseph's Open Letter is addressed to the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H. E. Salva Kiir Mayardit and appeals for "decisive and statesmanlike leadership".
As a minister that has provided pastoral care of borderland communities, Bishop Joseph's letter notes the historic role of Uganda as "a brother and ally" to South Sudan, between the years of liberation struggle in 1955 to the birth of indepenence and continuing as a haven for refugees.
It presses the point that in recent years, the "unresolved and undelimted border from Magwi of Eastern to Kaya of the central Equatoria has shifted from a techincal matter into a humanitarian and security crisis" that is impacting local people.
The letter makes recommendations for "Immediate Action", that includes a "Joint Commitment to Nonviolence", the "Establishment of a Joint Boundary Commission", the "Protection of Civilians", "Diplomatic Engagement" and "People-to-People Peace Initiatives".
The letter concludes: "Your Excellencies, you have the opportunity to leave a legacy of wisdom and peace-to show Africa and the world that disputes can be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future.
"The decision before you is not simply about where a line is drawn on a map; it is about whether the history between Uganda and South Sudan will be defined by brotherhood or bitterness, by collaboration or confrontation.
"In the name of peace, in the spirit of African unity, and in the fear of Almighty God, we urge you to act now-with courage, humility, and foresight.
"May this moment be remembered not as the beginning of a rift, but as the point where both nations chose the higher path of reconciliation for the sake of their people and posterity."
The letter follows a statement, by the Rt Revd James Lule, Bishop of the Diocese of Kajo Keji, on August 1, which appealed for “… for humanitarian intervention, for peaceful resolution of conflicts by the warring forces, for protection of the civil population from any sort of violence, and for the warring parties to abide by humanitarian and international laws to spare the civil population."
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, was the former bishop of Kajo-Keji. Speaking about the situation he said: "I am deeply concerned about this situation and join with the voices of local clergy and bishops in calling for a peaceful and expeditious resolution of the problem. As a former bishop of the Diocese of Kajo-Keji, which included the Diocese of Liwolo, my heart goes out to those affected by this incident from both countries."
For more information
Read the Open Letter from the Bishop of Liwolo.
Read the Anglican News article about the border attacks.
Read the statement from Bishop of Kajo Keji about the incident.