S. Sudan to emulate Rwanda on reconciliation process

The unique measures Rwanda applied to overcome the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis are set to be used to settle the 21-year old conflict in Southern Sudan, a Sudanese official has said. Bonguot Amum Okiech, Head of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly delegation that attended the Inter Parliamentary Union that is underway confirmed yesterday. “This is a practical illustration of conflict resolution using theories that are applicable to society. It is a great inspiration to many African countries including the Government of Southern Sudan,” Okiech said in a meeting with officials of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC). She added: “The initiative of creating a platform of true confessions, unity and reconciliation surely contributes to justice and uproots the culture of impunity.” Okiech expressed astonishment that in Rwanda, instead of justice people talk about reconciliation unlike in Sudan especially during a conflict into which close to 3 million people have lost their lives. Catherine Poni Quiriko, another cautioned religious leaders and specially commended the women for their role in promoting unity and reconciliation. “Church leaders should realize how much they participated in the Genocide and bounce back with even more effort in advancing unity and reconciliation,” she said. “We have also adopted a Committee for Peace in Parliament which should be able to push for setting up of a National Commission for Unity and Reconciliation in Sudan,” she added. During the meeting, the NURC Executive Secretary Fatuma Ndangiza emphasized the need to have a peaceful African continent and explained how her commission has been able to cope. “As much as victims and perpetrators are the main components of the reconciliation process, it’s equally important to restore hope and confidence to the refugees who would be returning home shortly,” she said. Last month, the government of Rwanda through the NURC won an international peace award from the United Religions Initiative (URI) for its outstanding effort to promote global peace. Ends