The newly elected President of the African Evangelical Mission in South Sudan says his priority is peace and reconciliation.

The Bishop of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Elias Taban, who assumed his office last week, told Eye Radio in Yei that he will work together with other churches to help bring lasting peace to the country.

“The only message that I would like to convey is that: we need to forgive one another.  We ask the rebels to put down their arms and come back home,” said Bishop Taban.

“Let’s join hands to build the Nation we fought for it for last 21 years. Why continue fighting amongst ourselves and shed more blood?”

The Mayor of Yei Municipality, Cecilia Oba Tito, urged the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to extend its mission to states that have been affected by the conflict and preach message of peace there.

The secretary general of the Association of the Evangelical Alliance, Aiah Foday Khabenji, said the membership of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Sudan has been admitted to the global network.

South Sudan Evangelical Mission is a Christian faith based organization, operating in Mundri East, Mundri West and Mvolo Counties, in Western Equatorial State and Wau County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State of South Sudan.

It is governed by Board of Directors and managed by the Director. SEM Head office is situated in Mundri town, Western Equatorial State of South Sudan.

Bishop Taban will serve the evangelical alliance for five years.