 has appealed to the country’s political leaders to end all forms of conflict and embrace dialogue as the only path toward lasting peace and national healing.){kind=link}
By: Ginaba Lino
The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) has appealed to the country’s political leaders to end all forms of conflict and embrace dialogue as the only path toward lasting peace and national healing.
In their Christmas message delivered on December 22, the Chairperson of the SSCC and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Most Rev. Dr. Justin Badi Arama, called on the government to lead by example through the release of all political detainees and those facing political charges, detained and undergoing court trials in Juba.
“We urge our political leaders to stop all forms of war, for there is no victory in war,” said Archbishop Badi. “Every dialogue must begin with true forgiveness. There must be a new page opened for inclusive political dialogue within and with the held-out groups.”
The church leader lamented that this year’s Christmas comes at a time when South Sudanese families are struggling with economic hardship, violence, and loss, while many continue to live in fear and poverty.
He noted that trust in the peace process has been deeply eroded by repeated failures in its implementation and urged the leaders not to abandon the hope of peace.
“Our people are suffering and deserve peace. We appeal to our political authorities and all persons of goodwill to find lasting solutions to our nation’s social and political conflicts,” he said.
Archbishop Badi also extended gratitude to regional and international partners who have supported South Sudan’s peace journey, urging them to remain steadfast amid the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis caused by conflict and floods.
The SSCC leader encouraged all citizens to work together for peace during this festive season and the coming year.
“Let us renew our spiritual and human closeness so that through the support of one another we may feel the concrete reality of God’s love,” he said. “May this Christmas and New Year be an opportunity for forgiveness, for the rejection of war, and for the healing of our nation.”
The message concluded with a special prayer for the people of South Sudan, invoking God’s blessings and peace upon the nation.