Acholi clergy meet South Sudan rebel commanders

 

GULU-The clergy under the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) have met rebel leaders under the  South Sudan Liberation Army (SPLA) in opposition (IO), led  by General Justine Taban  from the  Eastern Equatorial Province during their two days visit in South Sudan.

 

The clergy travelled to Eastern Equatorial in Torit, South Sudan on May 10, 2019 on the invitation of the head of Inter-religious Council of Equatorial State in South Sudan, Archbishop Bernard Oringa, who doubles as the Archbishop of Eastern Equatorial Catholic Church.

 

They were invited to share their experience on their contribution in ending the LRA war in northern Uganda

 

The clergies who travelled includes; Retired Bishop of Diocese of Northern Uganda and chairman ARLPI, Nelson Onono Onweng who led the team, Acholi districts Khadi and chairman executive committee ARLPI, Sheik Musa Khalil, chairperson for programme committee ARLPI, Rev. Patrick Loum, Symprosa Otim, a member of executive committee ARLPI and staff who include Francis Lukwiya, the general secretary and Mark Kidega, finance administration officer ARLPI.

 

Acholi religious leader initiative (ARLPI) is an interfaith peace building and conflict transformation organisation that was founded in 1997 and inaugurated in February 1998 to provide a proactive response to the conflict in Northern Uganda.

 

ARLPI bring together the religious leaders of the six different religious denominations and their prospective constituencies  that includes; Diocese of Northern Uganda (Anglican) Gulu, Kitgum Diocese(Anglican), Archdiocese of Gulu (Catholic), Diocese of Gulu and Eastern Uganda (Orthodox), Acholi Muslim districts, Northern Uganda mission of the Seventh Day Adventist(SDA), Acholi sub region and national fellowship of  the Pentecostal churches of born again(Acholi sub region) to participate effectively in transforming conflict.

 

Inspired by both faiths, the religious leaders come together for a common cause to advocate for and lead their followers (flock) out of violence and conflict.

 

The Chairperson of ARLPI Retired Bishop Nelson Onono Onweng said in the  two days visit to Eastern equatorial state , the Inter-religious Council of Equatorial State were able to make arrangements for them to meet rebel commanders of South Sudan liberation Army in opposition (IO) being headed by Gen. Justine Taban  in the bush.

 

"I told the commanders and religious leaders in Equatorial that they must learn to focus on children and women who are suffering in camps", he said.

 

Onono said when they were travelling; they did not see any school at the roadside. He said if there is no education in South Sudan, then what the future of South Sudan is; it seems the future is very dark.

 

He said; "We called rebel leaders and religious leaders that if at all they want to stabilize their country, they should mind about the future of children, because a nation without education is a dead nation".

 

Onono said he explained to rebel leaders and political leaders that  if they really love the people of South Sudan, why do they continue fighting after getting their independence from Sudan?

 

He said what he found strange with rebels in South Sudan; they come to pick religious leaders from Torit town to go and talk to them in their barracks; the thing that did not happen when they were meeting LRA commanders.

 

Sheik Musa Khalil, Acholi Muslim Districts Khadi who doubles as chairperson for programme committee ARLPI said their visit to the UN peace keeping office in Torit, is significant because they met liaison officers who took them to rebel barracks.

 

 "We advised the rebel commanders to benefit from the recent peace agreement signed between president, Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar and respect the cessation of hostility agreement", Khalil remarked

 

Khalil said Gen. Justice Taban who they met said they as military, have already signed for peace and they will never go back for war; saying that if the politicians want to fight, they will go to bush alone

 

Khalil said they shall continue with the engagement with religious leaders in South Sudan and give them more guidance concerning peace.

 

Rev. Patrick Loum, the chairman programme ARLPI said they all agreed as ARLPI and inter-religious council of equatorial to work together.

 

He said it was his second time to meet the rebel commanders; saying in 2006, he met LRA commander, Kwoyelo and his team at Okidi hill in Atiak sub county

 

Loum thanked Archbishop Bernard Oringa and the UN team who took them to meet the rebel commanders and promised to go back and help them build their capacity to work for peace