Nicola Manas|Rado Bankhita 91FM– Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga has called on South Sudanese to reject division, revenge and hate speech, urging citizens to embrace forgiveness, reconciliation and practical action to build peace.
Wani Igga made the call on Monday at All Saints Cathedral in Juba during a National Day of Prayer and Fasting organized by the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) to pray for peace, unity and reconciliation.
The Vice President said prayer and fasting should result in a change of heart, behavior and culture, warning that prayers for peace have little meaning if people continue to promote division.
“Fasting and prayer must lead to transformation,” Wani Igga said, according to reports from the event. He urged South Sudanese to consider what kind of country they want to leave for future generations, emphasizing forgiveness, inclusivity and selflessness.
The national prayer was held under the biblical theme from 2 Chronicles 7:14, which calls on people to humble themselves, pray, seek God and turn away from wrongdoing.
Hundreds of Christians from different denominations, along with government officials, church leaders, women and youth, attended the gathering, which focused on peace, forgiveness, reconciliation and national unity.
Acting Chairperson of the South Sudan Council of Churches, Bishop James Lado Emiliano, said prayer must be followed by concrete action and dialogue, from families and communities to the national leadership.
Bishop Emiliano also raised concerns over insecurity and economic hardship, urging church leaders to engage directly with their communities and encouraging young people not to be mobilized along tribal lines or used to perpetrate violence.
Central Equatoria Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony said peace begins with individuals and communities, emphasizing forgiveness, unity and responsible leadership.
The national prayer came as South Sudan marked the International Day of Peace and faces continuing political and security challenges ahead of the planned December 2026 general elections. Churches have continued to call on political leaders and citizens to resolve differences through dialogue and reconciliation rather than violence.
The gathering at All Saints Cathedral brought together religious and political leaders around a common message: that prayer for peace must be accompanied by changes in attitudes, behavior and actions across South Sudanese society.