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The message calls on ecumenical partners to uphold churches in prayer as they navigate through difficult times, and to support the churches in their commitment to stand for justice and peace, as well as in their commitment to engage in the process of voter education, civic education, and mobilization for peaceful, credible, inclusive, free, and fair elections.
“We are committed to building a culture of peace in our country, South Sudan,” reads the message. “The International Day of Peace encourages all leaders and citizens to embrace peace as the cornerstone for the wellbeing of South Sudanese.”
The South Sudan Council of Churches also expressed being deeply moved by the suffering of the people. “Together, we can foster positive change for our beloved country,” the message reads. “We call upon the international community not to be fatigued but continue to support the people of South Sudan on their journey for peace and also respond to the humanitarian crisis in various parts of the country.”
The message also urges the international community to support religious communities and civil society in engaging citizens in the constitutional and transitional justice processes. “May this year’s International Day of Peace mark a significant turning point toward sustainable peace in South Sudan,” the message concludes.
In an earlier pastoral message, released 17 September, on the recurrent extensions of the transition periods in South Sudan, the South Sudan Council of Churches addressed the extension of the transitional period to 2026, saying that churches have been “keenly following the implementation of the roadmap” that “all the reasons highlighted were all stated during the previous extensions,” and that “because of lack of political will, all key important provisions in the roadmap remain unimplemented.”
A delegation from the World Council of Churches joined the Ecumenical Network of South Sudan in a solidarity visit from 18-23 September to accompany and support the church leaders in South Sudan.
The network also includes the All Africa Conference of Churches, ACT Alliance, Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa, Arigatou International, Conference of Anglican Province in Africa, African Council of Religious Leaders, and International Rural Churches Ecumenical Association.
The visit, which convened under the theme “That All of Them May be One,” sought to affirm the ecumenical presence for peace and unity of the body of Christ. The objective was to pray with, listen, inspire, and encourage the leaders of the South Sudan Council of Churches and its member churches as they go through a transition of leadership.
WCC delegation will join solidarity visit to South Sudan (WCC news release, 18 September 2024)
