(July 13, 2011) Caritas Internationalis said that the independence for South Sudan
marks a moment of hope after decades of war and the loss of millions of lives. The
Republic of South Sudan became independent from the rest of Sudan on 9 July under
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005. Caritas Internationalis Secretary
General Michel Roy, who was in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, for the independence
day celebrations said that Independence marks the end of a long walk to freedom for
the people of South Sudan. He said millions of lives have been sacrificed on that
journey and millions more have been forced from their homes. “Caritas and our Catholic
Church partners have walked with them, trying to bring divided communities together,
providing humanitarian relief and supporting development programmes and urging governments
to ensure international support for the peace process. He said that Caritas is committed
to working with the people of South Sudan. Providing basic needs such as clean water,
health, and food will be the immediate priority. Caritas also aims to increase long-term
assistance that lifts people out of poverty and builds a diverse economy through education,
agriculture, providing livelihoods and rebuilding infrastructure, he added. Noting
that many of the key provisions of the peace deal have not yet been implemented. He
said the international community must ensure that all of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement is fully realised.