South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called upon South Sudanese to become “champions of peace” and to seek God’s guidance in overcoming the nation’s challenges.
Speaking at a National Prayer Breakfast he hosted in the capital, Juba, on Saturday, the President struck a reflective tone, emphasizing spiritual renewal over politics. The event was held under the supervision of Kiir’s daughter and special presidential envoy, Adut Salva Kiir, at the State House, also known as J1.
The gathering was organised under the theme “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord”.
“The goal of these prayers is to seek God’s guidance and blessings for our country,” President Kiir told the assembled religious leaders, officials, civil society leaders, and diplomats.
He explicitly set aside political discourse for the occasion, framing the day as one for “the renewal of our hopes in the shared responsibility of building a better South Sudan.”
Reflecting on the country’s troubled history, the President noted that independence was won through “sacrifices, endurance, and prayers.” He said the nation must now revisit those same qualities.
In a direct address to the country’s leadership, President Kiir urged those in authority to serve with “honesty, humility, and accountability.”
He outlined a path for national healing, stating it required “rejecting division, tribalism, hatred and revenge, and embracing dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation.”
The President extended the call for prayer into the practical matters of state, suggesting that divine guidance should inform everything from the protection of citizens to the allocation of national resources.
“Let us seek God’s guidance in our efforts… even in our allocation of our resources,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, President Kiir made a broad appeal for intercession.
“I am appealing to all the religious leaders, our public servants, and all our citizens to pray to God to give us wisdom as we work for peace and unity,” he said.
Noting the approaching Christmas holiday, President Kiir wished attendees well as they prepare to “welcome the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
He ended his address with the benediction: “May God bless you all and bless our country, the Republic of South Sudan.”
Adut Salva Kiir, who chaired the organising committee, described the event as “historic” and welcomed the president’s decision to make it an annual observance.
“This day will be written in the political chronicles of South Sudan,” she said, adding it was intended to unite leaders and place “faith and moral values at the center of governance.”
Religious leaders from the South Sudan Council of Churches and other Christian denominations led prayers for national repentance, forgiveness and unity, asking God to heal divisions caused by injustice, greed and ethnic hatred.
Calls for tangible action
While the event was commended by some as a positive step for peace and forgiveness, critics said it should be matched with concrete political actions.
The country is facing significant economic challenges, with civil servants and soldiers going unpaid for months. A national budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year has not yet been passed.
Some observers said the president could have used the occasion to make a significant gesture of reconciliation, such as pardoning prominent political figures.
Dut Majokdit, a senior member of the SPLM-IO party led by Riek Machar, told Radio Tamazuj that the prayers would have greater significance if President Kiir ordered “the unconditional release” of Dr. Machar and other detained opposition leaders. Machar, the suspended First Vice President, is currently on trial.
“For this country to realize national reconciliation, it must start from the top leadership,” Majokdit said.
Edmund Yakani, a civil society leader, said forgiveness among rivals was key to ensuring peaceful elections scheduled for December 2024.
“We wish the speech of the President could have broken the ground for real forgiveness and reconciliation,” he said.