Seventieth Liberation Anniversary Reflections
A drizzle cooled the crowd outside St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba as bells marked the 70th anniversary of South Sudan’s liberation struggle.
Leading the liturgy, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu lifted a prayer that blended scripture with modern diplomacy, asking God to plant “seeds of disarmament” in the nation’s politics.
Religious Leadership Reinforces Non-Violence Agenda
He quoted Pope Francis, reminding worshippers that genuine development flourishes only where weapons fall silent, a message echoing through pews packed with veterans and schoolchildren.
“Those who once carried rifles may now carry textbooks,” the prelate said, urging political factions to swap grievances for dialogue tables and truth commissions.
Regional Diplomacy and Congo-Brazzaville’s Quiet Support
Observers noted that Brazzaville’s envoy, seated near the altar, nodded when the cardinal praised neighboring states for “walking with South Sudan on the long road to peace” (Eye Radio, Juba, 2023).
Congo-Brazzaville has often offered discreet mediation rooms in Oyo and Poto-Poto, aligning with the African Union’s silencing-the-guns agenda without seeking headlines.
Youth Aspirations and the Road Ahead
University student Achol Deng whispered that the homily felt “like a graduation speech for the whole country,” capturing youthful hunger for jobs, stability, and inclusion.
Government spokesperson Michael Makuei welcomed the call, pledging accelerated implementation of the 2018 peace deal, including unified forces and electoral preparations slated for 2024.
As candles dimmed, choirs sang ‘We shall overcome’ in Bari, Dinka, and Nuer, their harmonies suggesting that the nation’s toughest negotiations may now unfold not in trenches but in chapels.