When you begin with an incorrect premise in speaking about the conflict in South Sudan, there are problems ahead. It is impossible in this post to address every misconception, misattribution, and false narrative in the Heritage Foundation’s “South Sudan: Time for the U.S. to Hold the Combatants Accountable” report on South Sudan.

This article will merely address the “Key Takeaways” of the report, because if those takeaways are implemented, they would create an atmosphere in which the armed combatants fighting against the legitimate government of nation would be empowered. The body of the report will be addressed separately. As such, there are no hyperlinks in this article, other than to the Heritage Foundation website, just as there were no hyperlinks in this section of the Heritage Foundation report.

Beginning with the title of report: “South Sudan: Time for the U.S. to Hold the Combatants Accountable.” It is indeed time for the U.S. and every other civilized nation to hold the armed rebel combatants accountable. Unfortunately, it is not that to which the Heritage Foundation report refers. The premise that “both sides” are equal “combatants” is incorrect and reflects both moral equivalence and a dependence on the false narrative about South Sudan that has been perpetuated since the attempted coup by former Vice President (at the time of the attempted coup, a private citizen with no government position) Riek Machar.

To continue reading this article on the Institute on Religion & Democracy’s Juicy Ecumenism, click here.

—

Faith McDonnell is the Director of Religious Liberty Programs and of the Church Alliance for a New Sudan at the Institute on Religion & Democracy.