AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - "We must start again from scratch", says the Bishop Emeritus of Juba

Juba (Agenzia Fides) - On 9 July, South Sudan celebrated its fourth year of independence. Unfortunately the anniversary is marred by ethnic conflict, due to the clashes of government forces of President Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and those loyal to former Vice President Machar, an ethnic Nuer.
Since December 2013, clashes have so far caused more than 500,000 victims. According to a statement by the Bishop Emeritus of Torit, Mgr. Paride Taban, the Country had never seen so many thousands of street children in the capital Juba, rummaging through the garbage for something to eat. "We are all guilty of this unfortunate situation - says the Bishop - and we have to start to rebuild the youngest Country in the world, and ensure that the population dies of old age and not for war". According to a recent report published by Aid to the Church in Need, many people are forced to eat grass and wild fruits to avoid starvation. Currently there are over a million malnourished children, two million displaced in the Country and 500,000 have fled abroad. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 17/07/2015)