The South Sudan Council of Churches says the church is the best institution to lead the national dialogue.

The church leaders say their institution is neutral and have moral authority, experience in peace-building, and that it is the most trusted in the society.

After welcoming the initiative, the religious leaders said the national dialogue is vital and is the only path that will lead to durable peace. They also said the process should be inclusive and facilitated by a body trusted by all stakeholders.

However, the appointees into the Steering Committee of the National Dialogue include prominent religious leaders like; Emeritus Bishop Paride Taban, as Co-chair of the initiative, Emeritus Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, Sheikh Juma Mussa, Reverend Mathew Mathiang Deng, Fr. Joseph Oryem Ismael, and Fr. Mathew Pagan as members.

In a joint communique, the church leaders said they are deeply concerned about the violence in some parts of the country. The 35 church leaders, who met in Nairobi last week and issued the statement yesterday, said the initiative for national dialogue is a major contribution to peace efforts in the country.

The leaders said they will brief the stakeholders of the peace agreement on the steps being taken by the Church, and consult with them on the national dialogue.

The President has mandated three think-tanks – Sudd Institute, Ebony Center for Strategic Studies and the Center for Peace at the University of Juba to be the secretariat from the dialogue./https://www.eyeradio.org/president-kiir-institutes-national-dialogue-committee-full-text/