Catholic Church leaders have strongly condemned the continued violence in South Sudan, urging political leaders to abandon military confrontation and return to genuine dialogue.
In a unified statement delivered by Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin, eight Catholic bishops gathered in Juba this week expressed deep disappointment over the ongoing conflict, warning that the widespread embrace of military action is undermining peace efforts.
“It is with heavy hearts that we express our deep sorrow over the daily reports of aerial bombardments, armed ambushes along roads and rivers, military confrontations, and the shrinking of civic space,” the bishops said.
The Church leaders lamented that the current situation contradicts the message of reconciliation and unity delivered by His Holiness Pope Francis during his historic visit to Juba. The Pope’s call for a “change of heart” among the South Sudanese people, they said, has been betrayed by the resurgence of political violence.
The bishops pointed to the lack of full implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement as a root cause of the country’s instability. They emphasized that sustainable peace can only be achieved through political engagement—not through force.
“Military action is being wrongly embraced instead of genuine dialogue as a solution to addressing political and social differences,” the statement read.
The Church called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of political detainees, and the reopening of civic space to pave the way for peaceful coexistence.
“As your shepherds, we urge you to heed our plea,” the bishops appealed to South Sudanese leaders. “This ongoing politically motivated violence is not justified. It is a betrayal of your noble calling. Cease from it and prove yourselves to be the legitimate protectors of the people, the guardians of the constitution, and stewards of the country’s territorial integrity.”
The bishops’ message comes at a time of increasing tension in several regions of South Sudan, where clashes between armed groups and government forces continue to displace civilians and hinder humanitarian access.
