Status: 04.02.2023 1:30 p.m
The Pope’s Africa trip to two countries plagued by civil war and hunger is coming to an end. Francis found haunting words in South Sudan – and can be happy about a success.
Singing upon Francis’ arrival at the airport in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. A small special moment that serves as a symbol for the difficulties that the Pope encounters on his trip to Africa: Two children come towards the Pope on the runway and are supposed to let two white peace doves fly in front of the Pope’s eyes as a sign of hope. But the pigeons do not rise into the air, but fall to the ground after a short attempt to fly. You tiptoe in the shadow of the plane.
A well-intentioned but unsuccessful gesture of welcome – like many attempts to create peace in South Sudan in recent years. However, the Pope made it clear in Juba that he does not want to be discouraged by the difficulties in his African host countries. Francis is persistently campaigning for reconciliation and peace these days. The pope does not shy away from undiplomatic and drastic words when speaking to the political leaders.
Just like at the opening meeting in Juba, when the Pope reminded President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his rival deputy Riek Machar of their responsibility for the people of South Sudan: “Your ‘children’ and history itself, dear leaders, will remember you when you have done good to this population. Based on what you are doing now, future generations will honor or erase the memory of your names.”
Pope Francis continues his journey in South Sudan
Tagesschau 10:15 a.m., February 4th, 2023
New talks promised in South Sudan
There is a first glimmer of hope: President Kiir publicly promised Francis at the reception that he would resume peace talks with the resistance groups. It would be a significant step towards reconciliation in South Sudan after the never fully implemented peace agreement of 2018.
South Sudan has been plagued by armed conflict since the country was founded almost 12 years ago. Militias from different ethnic groups are terrorizing the population, around 400,000 people have lost their lives in recent years. Violence has only recently flared up again.
Red Cross volunteers murdered
Shortly before the Pope’s arrival in South Sudan, a massacre killed 27 people, including humanitarian workers. The South Sudanese Red Cross confirmed the “cold blood” murder of four of its volunteers.
The incident happened around 100 kilometers from the capital Juba in the state of Tentral Equatoria. “The volunteers who were part of the team in the Kajo-Keji district were taken from their homes with other community members and heartlessly killed,” the national Red Cross Society said.
Authorities say the attack was in “revenge” for a previous cattle robbery that claimed the lives of herdsmen and animals. Representatives from politics and churches condemned the violence.
The people of South Sudan are predominantly Christian, with the Catholic Church being the most numerous in the country. The fact that people are therefore placing special hopes in the Pope’s visit could already be felt upon his arrival, when tens of thousands lined the streets on their way to the city centre. Several hundred young people marched 400 kilometers to Juba for peace. One of the participants, John Sebit, hopes that Francis’ presence will bring about gradual change and reconciliation in South Sudan.
Pope wants more attention for Central Africa
Francis himself has made it clear several times that this young, Christian country is close to his heart. One of the most spectacular gestures of his pontificate is associated with South Sudan: More than three years ago, after a joint prayer, Francis kissed the feet of Salva Kiir and Riek Macher, the former civil war opponents – as an expression of a plea for peace.
With his visit to South Sudan and before that to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Pope wants to work not only internally but also externally and bring two wars that have been largely forgotten outside of Africa back into the world public’s consciousness.
Reports of atrocities in the Congo
The reports that victims of the civil war from eastern Congo in Kinshasa read in front of the Pope were shocking and shocking – and which brought tears to the eyes of many observers, for example the description of a 16-year-old boy: “My father was murdered in my presence, of men in military fatigues. I saw them tear him to pieces.” This was followed by detailed descriptions of the violence that were difficult to bear.
Women from eastern Congo also spoke, reporting rape and mutilation. Some showed their arm stumps – militia fighters had cut off parts of their arms with machetes.
Eastern Congo, a region rich in natural resources, has been suffering from violence and terror from rival militias for years. Five million people were forced to leave their homes.
The world is looking elsewhere right now
However, aid organizations in South Sudan are complaining that there is an increasing lack of money for aid projects in these conflict regions. Also because people’s willingness to donate has decreased – possibly because other wars, such as the one in Ukraine, are currently being perceived more strongly. The Pope probably hopes that his visit will help the world to look more towards Africa again.
Pope wants to make a difference and gets promises – interim report on his visit to Africa
Jörg Seisselberg, ARD Rome, February 4, 2023 12:10 p.m