AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - President Kiir calls on the Christian communities to operate in favor of national reconciliation

Juba (Agenzia Fides) - The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has asked Christian leaders to be more active in the process of national reconciliation. This is what His Exc. Mgr. Paolino Lukudu Loro, Archbishop of Juba said to the participants in the Plenary Conference of Bishops of Southern Sudan. President Salva Kiir met Mgr. Lukudu and Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of the Episcopal Church of Sudan on September 5. The Head of State asked the religious leaders their opinion on the transfer of the capital of Southern Sudan from Juba to Ramciel in the Lakes State. Mgr. Lukudu told the bishops that these issues will be discussed during their meeting in order to send their views in writing to the President. On 2 September the Council of Ministers of South Sudan decided to transfer the capital of the new State (officially independent from July 9th) from Juba to Ramciel (located 250 km north-west of Juba). (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 07/09/2011)