The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) on Monday called on the country’s political leaders to halt the ongoing military operations and embrace dialogue, warning that escalating violence risks plunging the country back into full-scale civil war.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Juba and a leading figure in the SSCC, said the country is at a “critical crossroads” as violence intensifies in several parts of the country.
“We stand together today… at a time when our nation stands at a critical crossroads,” he said, adding that church leaders had gathered in solidarity to call for peace during the Christian Lenten season.
The prelate said 2025 had been one of the most difficult years for South Sudan, blaming repeated failures by political leaders to fully implement the 2018 peace agreement.
“The year 2025 was the worst, the year where our people lost trust due to the repeated failure in the implementation of genuine peace in our country by the political leaders and a few elites,” he said.
Ameyu expressed deep concern about escalating violence, particularly in Jonglei State, where fighting between government forces, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), and the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) has raised fears of renewed conflict.
According to the church leaders, continued military operations and rising tensions threaten the collapse of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, signed in 2018 to end years of civil war.
“These military actions are not necessary if only our leaders were to choose dialogue as a means of resolving political and social differences in our country,” Ameyu said.
He also urged authorities to halt ongoing military operations in Jonglei, including reported plans by the SSPDF to conduct a second phase of operations in Akobo County, warning that such actions could worsen humanitarian suffering and displacement.
“This will only increase human suffering and displacement to our population, humanitarian crisis, and death,” he said.
The church leaders further called on President Salva Kiir and other leaders of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to give peace a chance by embracing inclusive dialogue and releasing political opponents currently in detention.
Ameyu specifically mentioned the suspension of First Vice President Riek Machar, saying resolving political tensions through dialogue could pave the way for reconciliation and national healing.
South Sudan, he noted, has endured decades of conflict and suffering, with civilians—especially women, children, and the elderly—bearing the brunt of violence, economic hardship, and displacement.
“Our citizens have sacrificed dearly… struggling to make ends meet and work for daily bread,” he said.
The clergymen also called for accountability for the killing of civilians, including incidents reported in the Ruweng Administrative Area, and urged the international community to continue supporting peace efforts in the country. They appealed for increased humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and floods across the country.
During a question-and-answer session, Ameyu acknowledged that church leaders do not always have easy access to government officials but stressed that the church would continue advocating dialogue.
“Without dialogue, we cannot live together,” he said. “Dialogue is the most important aspect of life… No country in this world can survive in war only.”
He added that dialogue should not only involve political leaders but also communities at the grassroots level.
“It is only by the way of dialogue that we can resolve our problems in this country,” Ameyu stated.