The Reconstituted Joint and Monitoring Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) in collaboration with the South Sudan Inter-faith leaders have on Tuesday July 2nd2019 convened a three-day workshop in Juba.
 
The workshop is primarily aimed at updating the religious leaders drawn from different denominations, on the Revitalized Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and progress made in its implementation. 
 
In addition, the workshop will also highlight the roles the faith leaders can play in the implementation of the R-ARCSS.
 
While making his opening remarks, RJMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said: 
 
“In every society, religion advocates for love, which transcends race, class and nationality. This cardinal principal is critical to every peace process, especially in context like South Sudan that is emerging from decades of conflict.” 
 
“All of you (religious leaders) enjoy a high moral ground and acceptance with the local and international communities. These positions that you hold, enable you to shape attitudes, opinions of your members as they recognize and trust you,” he added. 
 
He urged the leaders to “continue to be a light in the lives of the millions of South Sudanese who are looking up to you for guidance and information on the peace process.”
 
Additionally, despite the challenges facing the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, the Chief of Staff said, RJMEC “are optimistic that the people of South Sudan will surmount these hurdles and ensure that the country gets back on its feet again.”
 
Ambassador Kebede added that the success of the peace process would provide a peaceful country to the millions of women and children in the country who continue to bear the greatest brunt of the conflict. 
 
“We urge you to say no to those who are bent on undermining the peace process by engaging in hate propaganda and inciting violence. Your presence in cities and rural areas offers you an opportunity to stand for peace and silence those that seek to undermine it,” he concluded.