Church leaders in South Sudan have made an urgent appeal for an end to violence across the country, warning of a deteriorating security and humanitarian situation. The South Sudan Council of Churches held a press conference in Juba, stating that armed violence, youth mobilisation and inter-communal fighting are having devastating effects on civilians and disrupting humanitarian operations. The situation has led to deaths, displacement and restrictions on humanitarian access.
The church leaders, including Justin Badi Arama, Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, highlighted the suffering of civilians, with communities being displaced, killed and abducted. They noted that roads are becoming increasingly dangerous, adding to the humanitarian crisis. The council cited renewed fighting and mobilisation of armed youth in Nasir and Ulang counties in Upper Nile State as a major concern.
Inter-communal violence and armed youth mobilisation are also affecting communities in Jonglei State, specifically in Nyirol, Uror, Ayod and Akobo counties, as well as parts of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. The church leaders also raised concerns about insecurity around Bentiu and in Ruweng Administrative Area in Unity State, where vulnerable and displaced communities remain at risk.
In Warrap State, the church leaders identified Tonj North and Gogrial East, as well as the Abyei Administrative Area, as areas where inter-communal and revenge-related violence remains a serious concern. The Equatoria region also faces insecurity, including attacks along roads linking Juba with Mundri, Torit and Yei, threatening civilians and humanitarian operations.
The South Sudan Council of Churches urged the government, armed groups, traditional authorities and communities to protect civilians, end revenge attacks and ensure humanitarian access. They also called for an end to the mobilisation and arming of young people for violence and urged authorities to secure major roads and river transport routes used by civilians and aid agencies.
The church leaders emphasised the need for dialogue and reconciliation, calling on conflicting parties and communities to choose restraint over retaliation and reconciliation over revenge. They also urged communities to reject hatred and retaliation and strengthen local peace and reconciliation mechanisms. South Sudan has endured years of conflict since gaining independence in 2011.
The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths since a civil war erupted in 2013. A 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and his rival, Riek Machar, ended much of the large-scale fighting but implementation has been repeatedly delayed and violence has persisted in parts of the country.
Key points
- The South Sudan Council of Churches has called for an immediate end to violence across the country.
- The church leaders cited renewed fighting and mobilisation of armed youth in Nasir and Ulang counties in Upper Nile State as a major concern.
- The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths since a civil war erupted in 2013.
