August 09, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Hosting a lunch for officials that include senior religious leaders and politicians, South Sudan president Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek acknowledged that the global pandemic, Coronavirus, is here to stay and therefore life must resume.
“During the event, President Salva Kiir talked about the need to accept the facts that coronavirus has come to stay with us and the churches will be re-opened across the country for their congregations to attend.” Press Secretary Ateny Wek said.
Despite that congested political meetings that include announcement of defections, funeral and burials have been publicly conducted, there was no clear reopening statement for the churches.
South Sudan closed down bars and restaurants briefly for less than two months leaving the religious leaders wondering of why the government would permit all public gatherings to reopen except the churches.
Some church leaders expressed willingness to put a cap on the number of congregations that would attend the church at one time but the government took its time to respond.
At least one religious leaders, Prophet Abraham Chol, had to be briefly arrested and released without charges for praying in his church in April.
In addition to the re-opening of the churches. President Salva Kiir reiterates his rejection for appointment of Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony as the governor of Upper Nile State and asked Dr. Riek Machar, the leader of the SPLM/A-IO, to nominate another person.
South Sudan has slowed down on reporting cases; however, the death toll has relaxed compared to April and May when many senior politicians and military general died from the virus that was being announced as “short illness” at the time.
Like many other countries, the reopening of public sector could bump up the number of cases and death from COVID-19; however, the world is moving on despite the risk.
