South Sudan: independence is a miracle and a challenge, says bishop

Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala

The creation of South Sudan as a country in its own right is a "miracle", according to a leading bishop. But he also warned of the challenges ahead as the nation comes into being.

In a pastoral letter issued to coincide with official independence of South Sudan on Saturday (9th July), Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala paid tribute to the sufferings of Sudanese, especially during more than 20 years of civil war.

The Bishop of Tombura-Yambio in Western Equatoria, in the far south of the country, goes on to spell out the self-sacrifice needed by the new nation's people to lift the country out of extreme poverty and continuing violence.

In the pastoral letter, a copy of which he sent to Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Hiiboro wrote: "A day of independence of the people of South Sudan is a miracle."

He continued: "A new hope [is being] born in the history of our country... and we have risen into the light of freedom and respect, an opportunity for lasting peace, reconciliation in our new country and with our neighbours and the entire world."

But admitting to "mixed feelings" as South Sudan secedes from Khartoum-controlled Sudan, Bishop Hiiboro stresses that a spirit of celebration should be tempered by renewed efforts to tackle conflicts both within the new country and north of it.

It comes amid growing fears of a return to war after recent fighting in two border regions – oil-rich Abyei and South Kordofan where, according to reports, 170,000 people have been forced from their homes.

Underlining the humanitarian impact of the conflict, Bishop Hiiboro writes: "The challenge is immense. Sometimes, it will really come down to a decision: what must I give up that this person might eat, be clothed, be sheltered etcetera?"

And in a separate message, Bishop Hiiboro declared that "there is no time for celebrations" given the ongoing conflicts, human rights violations against (religious) minorities in (north) Sudan as well as poverty faced by thousands of refugees and displaced people returning to South Sudan.

Bishop Hiiboro, who was guest-of-honour at Aid to the Church in Need UK's October 2010 events in London and Scotland, wrote to ACN: "The new state of South Sudan in its infant state is still in a fragile state without reliable and transparent institutions and is far from being well governed."

Bishop Hiiboro went on to call on charities, NGOs and other agencies to help South Sudan cope with overwhelming social, political and economic problems as well as develop the pastoral life and mission of the Church.

In his message to ACN, Bishop Hiiboro wrote: "We in the Catholic diocese of Tombura-Yambio feel compelled to seek from our partners how together to address these issues and to seek strategies in how far the Church and her international partners can reach out to the society as a whole to contribute as best as possible to a just and promising development."

Sudan and South Sudan are priority countries for Aid to the Church in Need.

The charity provides key support for thousands of displaced children attending Save the Saveable schools in and around Khartoum, Mass stipends for priests, vehicles and other transport for clergy and religious, help for religious Sisters, catechists and others in formation and construction of church buildings.

Aid to the Church in Need's help became more urgent during the 1983-2005 Sudan civil war – the longest conflict of its kind in Africa. Up to three million died and millions more were displaced and/or fled abroad.

A ceasefire and the subsequent January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement resulted in an interim power-sharing deal between north and south Sudan.

Elections and a referendum in January 2011 showed overwhelming support for secession and the emergence of Africa's 54th state.