The Society of Jesus believed “the conflict and violence in South Sudan” can in part be attributed to “antagonistic competition for power” which can also be blamed on inter-clan rivalry enshrined in a revenge culture.
November 30th, 2018 (Nyamilepedia) –The society of Jesus on 19th of November released a statement seen by the Nyamilepedia editorial team condemning the death of one of their priests killed two weeks ago in Cuei-bet South Sudan. According to the office of the president for Africa and Madagascar.
The society is angered and shocked by the ‘horrific” death of their colleague.
“We, the Jesuit of Africa and Madagascar, strongly condemn the horrific murder of Fr.Victor-Luke Odhiambo SJ, a Jesuit from Kenya, on 15 November 2018, in Cuiebet South Suda.” the letter seen by Nyamilepedia read.
Late Fr. Victor-Luke Odhiambo SJ was a Kenya Jesuit priest violently gunned down by unknown gunmen who stormed the Jesuit community in Cuiebet, South Sudan on 15th, of November. He was the Principal of Mazzolari Teacher’s College in Cueibet and Acting Superior of the Community. He worked for the society for 4 decades.
The society believed that the civil war in South Sudan is a “global” concern which demands an immediate attention.
In a long three pages press release seen by Nyamilepedia which dates back on 19th, of November, 2018, the Jesuit in Africa calls upon the government of South Sudan to protect the lives of her citizens and those working in South Sudan “irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation” in the Africa wartorn nation.
The society demanded those responsible for the murder be brought to book and “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law” as this will end the culture of impunity where in the past and present those responsible for killing innocents foreign workers and the citizens walked away with no truck of their whereabouts.
To end the irresponsible killing of innocents civilians and foreign workers, the society condemned in part the international community in supports or dealing with the arms supplies to South Sudan government.
“We condemn the proliferation of illegal smalls and light weapons in South Sudan, largely supplied by Western and Asian Countries, and call for immediate end to the supply of these arms. We encourage all anti-illegal arms advocates, civil society, religious groups, governments, and private individuals to join hands in calling for an end to the sale of arms to illegal groups in South Sudan.”
The society further appeals to the international community to increase peacemaking and put development aid to people of South Sudan to help the country to recover economically, “strengthen social and political institutions, entrenchment of the rule of law; and, more importantly, provide access to quality and equitable education for all throughout South Sudan” for the development and positive contribution to the progress of the country.
This particular case is more among many where foreign workers either working for NGOs or carrying out private business lost their lives on the process and less continue to be done by the government to improve the situation.
