The Importance of Peace and Political Stability in South Sudan (Part 6)
By David Matiop Gai, Juba, South Sudan
March 10, 2018 (SSB) — Presence of peace in our country is a blessing to everyone in term of development. Although pain, suffering, and hurt guaranteed in this country, we have to support peace to overcome difficulties of war in South Sudan. We have somebody who can multiple peace in our hearts. Human may know God in the time of difficulties.
God is faithful, and he is always looking over us in the time of darkness. He is truly caring for us; he is our great protector, and he can help us in time of our need. Roman14:19, Reads, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification”. We need to make every effort to keep ourselves united, and bind ourselves together for peace. South Sudanese should bond in peace and make a source for peace education, and peace in life.
Peace makes life flourish. We need to raise our concern to the highest demands of peace if we really want peace to prevail in South Sudan. As we know peace process move slowly in Addis Ababa, four things need to be involve in order achieving peace in sense of nation-building. Treating our communities fairly in South Sudan, Peace, justice, truth and pardon/mercy can transform individuals, institutions, and society as a whole.
Psalm 107:20, reads, “He sent out His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.” South Sudanese minds set on war and conflict matters rather than peace. People like destruction because human hearts are broken and crack with bleedings. Psalm 147:3 stated that, “He heals the brokenheartedly and binds up their wounds”. Such a heart, peace is far away. Thoughts is swirling, anxieties, and not appreciated.
Making peace that advocate for justice. We South Sudanese should immediately shiftily blaming games but stick to justice in the course of rectifying wrong done and create strong relationships among people based on true equality and fairness of public judgement between war and peace. Deuteronomy 16:20, reads, “Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you”.
Again, if we want to acknowledge evil acts committed during the war and we pay respect to those who lost their lives, we must apply the truth. Psalm 15:2-3, stated that, “Only those who obey God and do as they should. They speak the truth and don’t spread gossip; they treat others fairly and don’t say cruel things”. Those who guide their lips to truth and teaches right path.
This afterward mercy, grace, and peace have place in peace process. 2 Tim 1: 2 says, “Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” But mercy in other words involves forgiveness, compassion, help, or pardon on those who committed injustice, or crimes to change their lives in the face of peace agreement, our nation and people need mercy most, because mercy is an ability that relieves others who did wrong even if they don’t to deserve it.
We need peace, we want to develop our country, and we need to stay together and inventing youth’s talents in advance technology, different fields and specializations. God had pity on us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:6-8), spiritually dead, God has mercy on us and Christ died for us. Then fullness of peace will guarantee uses of peace.
Peace and community cohesion. Why are South Sudanese crying everywhere about peace to prevail in the country? A common sense dictated the answer, that “people learn through mistakes” which implies shift blaming that does not help, but those who advocate for peace reflect on reality. And youths sometimes are agents of messes in South Sudan.
They denied their own talents which may benefit them, their families and their communities, but they invested in war that consumed lives and damaged personal and public properties. Today since our independence in 2011, we add peace substance and authenticity on debate about tribes which was rooted back in hundred years ago, an engineering of divisions where major tribes of Dinka and Nuer are battling in the field of leadership. Other tribes blame them but are they right? What did they do about peace, and community development?
The author is a co-founder of South Sudan Mental Health care Organization, (SSMHCO). He holds Bachelor degree in Social Work and Social Administration from SSCUST, Bachelor of Theology from CLT, Bungoma, Kenya/Kalispell, USA, and a fellow researcher. He can be reach at david.matiopgai@gmail.com.
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