The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yei has called on the government to lift the suspension of the Rome Peace Talks.
In November 2022, the government suspended its participation in the Rome peace talks indefinitely, claiming that the Non-signatory South Sudan Opposition Group has been buying time to prepare for war.
In his New Year address, President Salva Kiir also maintained that the talks are still suspended until when the opposition groups show real commitment to peace.
This was despite the president’s declaration of 2023 as a year of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness.
Bishop Alex Lodiong criticizes the government for pulling out from the talks at critical times when dialogue is needed most.
“They said they are withdrawing because one of the groups are preparing themselves for war. So, in my opinion, that is not the right direction to take because you don’t stop talking when things are hot, instead it is the opposite.”
He calls for the resumption of the talks and has volunteered to play an observer’s role in the negotiations to end the suffering of the citizens.
“When things are difficult, this is the moment people talk, you don’t talk when things are okay. So, let us dialogue our issues instead of fighting, fighting never solve issues, the gun does not solve issues.”
“So, we are encouraging the government, let them take things out, this suspension should be lifted and then they go to the table.”
“We are ready to help to also be observers in those kinds of talks so that we help ourselves and we also help our people to rest a little bit, our people have suffered too long.”