The South Sudan and Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference on Saturday raised an alarm over the deteriorating political and security situation in South Sudan, following clashes and the detention of First Vice President Riek Machar.
Addressing a press conference in Juba on Saturday, Stephen Ameyu Martin, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba, said the clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), the arrest of political leaders, including First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, and the increasing displacement of innocent civilians, especially women and children, marked a tragic reversal of the peace that the Church has longed and prayed for.
“The people of South Sudan have suffered too long. War has taken their children, their homes, their future, and yet again, the dark clouds of conflict hover over our nation,” the Archbishop said.
He said that from the beginning of this renewed crisis, the Church had stood firm in calling for restraint, dialogue, and commitment to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), as Pope Francis emphasized during his visit to Juba in 2023.
“We once again call on President Salva Kiir, all political leaders, and parties to the agreement, including the R-TGoNU, to honor their obligations and resist any temptation to revert to arms. Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an overflowing stream,” the clergy said.
The prelate condemned the involvement of the Ugandan army in South Sudan, saying it was worsening the situation.
“The arrest of opposition leaders and the involvement of foreign military forces, especially the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), have only served to heighten fear and mistrust. Such actions risk turning our beloved country into a battleground for external interests and political manipulation,” he said.
“We caution our leaders that if South Sudan returns to full-scale violence, the consequences will be catastrophic. The loss of human life, the collapse of national unity, and the breakdown of fragile institutions will devastate future generations. The political neglect of the suffering poor, the displaced, the orphans, and the widows will not go unremembered before God,” the man of God said.
He noted that, as Church leaders, they remained ready to mediate dialogue, to be a voice for the voiceless, and to work with all who seek genuine peace. He also urged civil society, youth and women’s groups, traditional leaders, the international community, and all people of goodwill to stand against war.
Archbishop Ameyu called on the South Sudanese people to overcome evil with good and shun hate speech.
“Resist hate speech, tribal incitement, and misinformation, especially through social media. Do not let your hearts be hardened. This land is yours and your children’s. Do not let it be soaked in blood again,” Ameyu said.
“To our political leaders, we remind you of the words of Pope Francis: ‘Peace requires forgiveness, courage, and hope. It demands that we look beyond ourselves.’ Now, let us not grow weary. Let us not retreat into silence or fear. Let us speak boldly, act justly, and walk humbly before our God,” he said.
The prelate said the future of South Sudan depends on the choices made today and called on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to intercede for its healing.