African Union approves peace force for South Sudan
The BBC reports that African Union leaders have approved plans to deploy a regional protection force to South Sudan which will have a more robust mandate than the UN peace force currently there.
“African troops are ready to engage in very difficult situations,” the AU Peace and Security Commissioner Smail Chergui said at a summit in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, AFP reports.
He added: The UN doesn’t have the mandate to impose peace.”
A 12,000–strong UN force has failed to stem violence between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival, Vice–President Riek Machar.
At least 300 people were killed and tens of thousands left homeless in the latest fights which broke out earlier this month.
Things are still calm in our link diocese of Maridi and Ibba Diocese (partnered by St John’s Moira) – but there is a shared concern about the potential spread of violence and a return to full civil war.
We ask for your prayers for the role of the Church as a voice for peace and unity, for the safety of our partner bishops and their families and the communities they serve.