May 29, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —– Due to ongoing anti-peace protest at the Emmanuel Jieng Church in Juba, the pastor in charge, Joseph Makeer Achiek, has resigned.
The violence began this morning when the designated secretary of information went to podium to announce reports.
According to eye witnesses, an unidentified “young man” also stood up and started matching to the stage with an inciting banner bearing images of late Gen. Kuol Malith Reech, late Gen. Abraham Jongroor Deng and late Gen. Ajak Yek Alier who were killed in the conflict between 2013-2014.
“When stopped by the secretary and ushers, a group of people who were believed to be his team, stood up in the middle of the congregation and surges forward. Most of the congregation walked out of the church while others tried their best to calm situation.” Bell reports narrates.
While generals and politicians remained seated, one Bishop tried to calm down the situation but all in vain.
The church leadership opted to call national security immediately and the protestors are believed to have been locked up for further investigation, however, the pastor-in-charge declared he has resigned.
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Senior Bishop, Nathaniel Garang Anyieth, was seen helplessly crying while summing up prayers.
The violence came less than a week after the South Sudan’s Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, attended a service as part of his ongoing reconciliations efforts in the country.
While Pastor Joseph Makeer Achiek is from Bhar El Ghazal Dinka, majority of his congregation are from Dinka Bor.
The anti-peace protest has gone viral on social media as members of Dinka Bor community threaten violent against the senior pastor for welcoming the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.
The Emmanuel Jieng Church is a branch of Espicopal Church of South Sudan that is dominated by mostly Dinka Bor sub-tribes.
It is not the first time the church is on the news due to political polarization. Earlier this year protestors in the church attacked mama Rebecca Mabior, the wife of SPLM/SPLA founder, Dr. John Garang de Mabior for her opinions and position during the last two years of war.
Despite that Mama Rebecca did not rebel in 1991 and did not command troops in 2013, a woman stood up in the congregation and verbally attacked her for standing against Salva Kiir government in 2013.
Public Reaction
The action of polarizing the church along political lines is strongly condemned by some congregations who want to see peace and reconciliation restored.
“the devil’s group succeeded for threatening the pastor with violent if no resignation. Where in the world’s that the church has limitations for inviting certain people? Get to the cross of jesus first, before, following the blinds!” Nhial Pal said.
“Who’s own Jesus is South Sudan. shamed on that community where this very stupid people use to come am very sorry for them” Awan Monydiit stated.
The violence is blamed on Mading Ngor Akei Kuai, the leader of the protestors. Mading is apprehended and is now arrested at the National Security for instigating violence in the church.
Mading is a journalist by profession but has predominately comes up in tribal politics in South Sudan. He has been arrested more than two times in the last two years.
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10 comments
Avoid politics from church and allow religious with people. Sick Rebecca and her son should stay out from that church. First of all Rebecca is nobody mama full stop.
What have had happened in Emmanuel Church in Juba, it is absolutely contrary to God Church Doctrines and at the same time, it is not Dinka sub-tribe people traits. We, the dignifying community of Eastern Twic Dinka, we are not happy at all with our neighbor who is Greater Bor or Dinka Bor people. It is the same Church our neighbor attacked our sons and daughters. What a shame? http://www.twicworld.com/twic-people/
Choose God or Satan.
Brainwashed is not the best. Dr.Riek,Mabior and his mum should have learned from those of Mohammed Atta and Osama Bin Laden. Look at Egypt Airline.
Those who say it was a bad idea to allowed first Vice president to prayed in the Dinka church are wrong, we have nothings call Dinka Bor church, this is a church of God. When we have Lliirpiou, people of Duk and Twic never came to worship with guala, the same to mayomde kongor, people of abii as well athoc never thought of worship with them.
Dr. Riek has done some thing good to come and worship in the Emanuel for the search of peace. Jesus Christ was not born by Dinka or Nuer, He was born by Jew, and that is why we worshiping him as universal God. who are these ungodly to tell us that Riek has done some thing bad to come to preach peace? Even President Kiir know very well that what First Vice president is doing is the best way forward toward peace. shame, shame, shame for unti-peace.
Nobody had said that Riek Machar no right to pray in that church,but he has no right to preach his reconciliation in the churches or mosques.Bring yhat Live on Television for everybody to watch. That had happened in South Africa before,but was not in the Church.
Bring that reconciliation Live on Television because it is also for Non Beliefs and beliefs. Think wisely.
this reconciliation is not for Dr. Riek, it is for all south Sudanese who had been abandon by Kiirdit. If kiirdit has no ability to preach peace while the environment is so hostile, what do you think to be done while the president and his diehard has refused to held the rally to preach peace? three weeks ago, they took money and run to Nairobi for the name of peace where they failed thoroughly without knowing the context of rally because of confusions among them.
Moreover, the issue of non believers should derail leaders not preach peace, that should be consider, Muslim have moques, while other non muslim and christian will be reach wherever they gathered.
Brother Beek, there is no one way you can preach peace, start wherever you are and even in the wedding, people listen to it.
social media is another channel for influence… do without fear.
Dr.Riek Machar and likes need to be seen live on Television then in the churches. There are who are Christians and those who beliefs in God of NATURE.
How many people watch TV in south Sudan? Do you think the number of people who attend the churches watch TV in their houses? You would have appreciated Dr. Machar because of his commitment to preach peace in the churches.
Your TV is being control by Kiirdit even to show the pic of machar and his groups is zero percent, leave alone addressing the nation on TV.
President Kiir is being brainwash by cartel council, those who used to wash the feet of muslim in the north during the war.
However, as you know in the history, this nation has been in the hands of Dinka since the times of Abel, as well as late Dr. Garang, but Dinka never formed a tribal council. while Abel and Garang work tremendous in their time for all south Sudanese.
why tribal council when we freed ourselves from the main and common enemy of the south.
those elders must be hang alive or face criminal justice in near future. mark my words.