Bishop Enock Tombe of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan says that political leaders have messed up the country and want to run away from justice, warning that politicians of whatever allegiance will face opposition from the church if they continue to wage war.

“We in the church will work against those who killed people, took away the people’s prosperity and have not repented,” he said.

The Bishop of Rejaf Diocese warned the warring parties to the conflict in South Sudan to observe the peace agreement signed in May, stressing that the leaders are being closely watched.

“Our message as the church is very clear: The war must first stop,” said the bishop.

Enock Tombe, who participated in the Addis Ababa peace talks as a member of the delegation of religious leaders, told Radio Tamazuj in an interview on Wednesday that ‘truth-telling’ and ‘justice’ must come after the guns fall silent.

“You cannot have reconciliation and peace without truth-telling, justice and forgiveness. Our political leaders must be aware that whatever they are doing are being recorded by the international community and also by us, so we know what they have done in this country,” the bishop said.

“And therefore, if they are so reluctant [to stop fighting] they have to face the accountability first to the people. And if we get another chance to vote for them again, I don’t think we will vote for them. We in the church will work against those who killed people, took away the people’s prosperity and have not repented,” Enock said.

‘They are not for peace’

The bishop recounted also the incidents last month in which both the government delegation and rebel delegation boycotted peace talks in the Ethiopian capital.

First, the government boycotted the talks because they claimed their president was ‘insulted’ by the mediators; then the rebels boycotted because they said the civil society delegates invited by mediators were not representative of the country.

The government’s boycott followed a media report in which IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim was quoted as saying it was ‘stupid’ of Salva Kiir and Riek Machar to think they could win the war by force of arms.

“I read that in my hotel room [in Addis Ababa] and I said, ‘If this is the reason that could stop them from coming to the talks… then they are not serious.’”

The cleric called the perceived insult “an issue of language,” saying that the IGAD official was calling ‘stupid’ only an idea or thought, not a person.

He also accused the rebels of fighting to overthrow the government to take power.

“Those outside wanted to overthrow the government so that they take power and those inside do not want to sign peace but want to maintain their positions in the government.”

“So when you look at these two behaviors they were not serious, they are not for peace and each one is pursuing his or her personal or political interest,” Enock added.

‘No peace without justice’

Bishop Enock noted that what happened starting on 15 December has opened fresh wounds in the country. But he cautioned it is too early to talk about healing when people are still fighting: “I tell you it is going to wait until the guns fall silent.”

The bishop is a member of the National Platform and Peace and Reconciliation, a joint platform launched by three institutions in South Sudan: the church, a specialized parliament committee, and the government peace commission.

He stressed that ‘truth’ was an important part of this initiative: “Once the truth is found, then justice will follow.”

“We are just preparing the ground basically to coordinate between the three bodies: the specialized committee in national parliament, the peace commission in the government, and then the church,” he said.

Enock urged South Sudanese to recommit to national dialogue and repent to God for what has happened. He said peace will not come unless people admit their mistakes. 

Photo: Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rejaf Enock Tombe, 8 July 2014

Related coverage:

Clerics say S Sudanese politicians love war (7 July)

Church says ‘blamed’ by S Sudan politicians (5 July)

Dinka and Nuer pastors join hands for peace (18 March)