In South Sudan “we need freedom of speech; let people talk”: Catholic Bishop

The South Sudanese Bishop further notes that those responsible for insecurity refuse to take responsibility for it, noting that this is the "reason why the situation is bad.”

“If they have consent and brain and hear, they will know that they are the cause of the (insecurity) situation in the nation,” the 78-year-old Bishop says in reference to those behind insecurity in the ten-year-old nation, and laments that people “live in fear because there is still killing being witnessed in South Sudan.”

South Sudanese live in fear “and the fear is not for nothing,” Bishop Tombe further says, and explains, “There are criminals along the way and I don’t know who they are? There are people still being killed.”

Making reference to Yei, the headquarters of his Episcopal See, Bishop Tombe says, “The town is okay though there are people being killed slowly.”

In the November 24 report, the Catholic Bishop expresses his appreciation for Commander John Lual Tong for contributing to improved security in Yei, and adds, “of course, in any country, there are criminals but for the brigadier of Yei garrison, we can see there is improvement for one year.”

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He explains, “Security in the town has been improving because of him (Tong). He controlled the movement of the army under his responsibility. Those who are far from his responsibility, they are the criminals or some criminals joined them.”

“Let us continue with the same spirit. Let us not disturb ourselves about what (we) shall eat, what shall we drink; let us be united in our relationships with love and prayers,” Bishop Tombe is quoted as saying in the November 24 CRN report.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.