Peace-prize-winning Bishop urges peace between the Sudans
Paride, formerly a Sudanese Bishop who had represented the country before the secession of South Sudan in 2011, called for the unity of the two countries, saying they are like brothers and sisters.
The two countries, Sudan and South Sudan -- we should have the best relationship -- better than with Uganda and Kenya because we have been brothers and sisters, we have been sharing the same wealth, the same border,” Paride said.
The very people of Sudan and South Sudan should come out and say we are brothers and sisters.”
Paride, however, said politicians often impeded peace rather than facilitating it.
Let us leave out the politicians,” he said. The very people of Sudan and South Sudan should come out and say we are brothers and sisters.”
Earlier this month, the 77-year-old bishop was awarded the Sergio Viera de Mello Prize for his efforts towards building trust and peace between different communities in the Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron, in Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan.
During two decades of civil war, the Bishop served communities both in Southern Sudan and then Sudan, reconciling them and promoting peace.
Speaking about the award, he said: It was a surprise […], all my work was a humble service for the people.”
In 2005, Paride set up the Kuron Peace Village, bringing together people from different tribes and faiths that have been in conflict for years over cattle rustling.
Laurent Vieira de Mello, president of the prize foundation and eldest son of the late Sergio Vieira de Mello dubbed the settlement as a role model for other conflict zones. The fact that this village is now seen as an example of reconciliation and peace will encourage other communities to follow a similar approach in other areas of conflict in South Sudan and beyond,” he said.
The fact that this village is now seen as an example of reconciliation and peace will encourage other communities to follow a similar approach.”
The prize is awarded annually to an individual, community or institution seen as having made an exceptional contribution to reconciliation of communities or groups in conflict, and whose example can be duplicated elsewhere.
The jury included the UN’s refugee agency and human rights chiefs.
Taban is due to receive the award -- which includes a symbolic sum of 5,000 Swiss francs (US$ 5,500) -- from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on March 1 in Geneva.
The United Nations had congratulated Paride for the award and said the achievement of peace in the Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron by Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban is a model to be emulated.
This is a very well deserved recognition,” said the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for South Sudan, Hilde F. Johnson in the UNMISS congratulatory message, stressing the need for national reconciliation and healing”.
