Tribute to Bishop Paride a man of peace

South Sudan has lost one of its dear and distinguished son Bishop Paride Taban.

Taban has been at the forefront of pushing for peace and non-violence all his entire life even when South Sudanese were under the oppressive regimes in Sudan.

The numerous awards Taban has received speak for themselves about a giant who will be missed dearly.

His death has robbed South Sudan of a gifted man when the country is preparing to transition from violence toward peace and reconstruction.

Among Taban’s successes was him chairing the mediation initiative between the Government of South Sudan and COBRA Faction of the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army led by David Yau Yau, which produced a successful peace agreement on 6 January 2014.

In December 2016, Taban was appointed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit as a co-chair of the steering committee of the National Dialogue, which also came up with very commendable resolutions to end violence and bring about equality and development in the country.

As South Sudanese we ought to all know that people of Taban’s caliber come once in a generation, and it will take us generations to find one like him.