Juba, South Sudan—In a poignant and urgent appeal, the Catholic bishops of South Sudan have raised a prophetic voice, warning of the escalating risk of genocide as the nation teeters on the brink of a full-scale return to civil war. Their impassioned plea for peace and dialogue comes amidst rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions, painting a grim picture of a country struggling to emerge from the shadows of past conflicts.
Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba, president of the Sudan and South Sudan bishops’ conference, articulated the gravity of the situation in a statement issued on January 27, 2026. He highlighted the renewed fighting between government forces (SSPDF) and various armed opposition groups (SPLA-IO and others) in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria states, emphasizing the rapid deterioration of both security and humanitarian conditions.
A Nation in Peril: Escalating Violence and Displacement
The scale of the crisis is staggering. According to recent reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), an estimated 260,000 people have been displaced across Jonglei State alone following renewed fighting and airstrikes that began in late December 2025. Between December 1 and January 23, the violence has reportedly claimed at least 200 lives, including no less than 40 civilians, in Jonglei.
The following table summarizes the critical humanitarian data for South Sudan as of early 2026:
| Metric | Data (January 2026) | Source |
| People in Need of Aid | 10 Million | OCHA / IRC |
| Displaced in Jonglei | 260,000 | OCHA Flash Update |
| Recent Fatalities (Jonglei) | 200+ | ACLED |
| Emergency Funding Allocated | $10 Million | CERF |
A Call for Dialogue and Respect for Human Dignity
Cardinal Mulla implored all leaders, both within the Unity Government and among non-signatories to the Revitalised Peace Agreement, to “stop war and embrace dialogue, listen to one another and to the people you claim to fight for their sake”. His words underscore the Church’s consistent teaching on the paramount importance of dialogue and reconciliation as pathways to lasting peace.
“The citizens are not properties, they are human beings and it will be good to know their pains, hunger for peace, and their desire to live in freedom,” Cardinal Mulla asserted.
This powerful statement serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dignity of every human person, a cornerstone of Catholic social teaching. It challenges leaders to prioritize the welfare and aspirations of their people over political interests or military ambitions.
Echoes of Pope Francis: “No More War”
The Cardinal’s appeal resonates deeply with the fervent pleas of Pope Francis, who has consistently championed peace in South Sudan. Cardinal Mulla explicitly quoted the Holy Father’s message to the people of South Sudan, where the Pontiff famously called for “no more war” and “no more bloodshed.” Reaffirming this papal sentiment, the Cardinal declared, “We are coming again with urgency to reiterate our appeal for dialogue, unity, peace and reconciliation”.
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, gained independence in 2011 but plunged into a brutal civil war in 2013, claiming nearly 400,000 lives and displacing millions. The 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed in Addis Ababa, offered a glimmer of hope by ending countrywide fighting and establishing a transitional government. Pope Francis played a pivotal role in these peace efforts, famously kneeling to kiss the feet of South Sudan’s political leaders in 2019, a profound gesture of humility and a desperate plea for peace.
Disregard for Peace and the Specter of Genocide
Despite these efforts, many commitments of the 2018 pact, including general elections and security reforms, remain unimplemented. The Catholic bishops are now deeply concerned that the agreement is being disregarded and dialogue sidelined. Cardinal Mulla expressed alarm at the “total disregard for the full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement” and the “growing discord within the Unity Government”.
He warned that the “attacks and counter attacks between the warring parties in many parts of the country is spreading rapidly causing displacements, hunger, and many other inhuman conditions”. A particularly chilling concern for the bishops is the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation. Cardinal Mulla specifically cited a top general from the government army who called for indiscriminate violence against civilians in Jonglei state, unequivocally stating:
“Directing forces to ‘spare no lives’ is a direct call to genocide. We call on all the fighting forces not to heed to any directive that risks victimizing innocent civilians and pitting communities against each other”.
This direct accusation of a call to genocide, corroborated by Human Rights Watch reports of commanders promoting attacks on civilians, underscores the extreme peril facing the nation and the moral courage of the bishops in speaking truth to power.
The Church’s Unwavering Commitment to Peace
Father John Gbemboyo Joseph Mbikoyezu, the pastoral and social communication coordinator for the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic bishops’ conference, noted that the recent escalation is leading to full-scale war with a “total disregard of dialogue”. He lamented that “the warring parties are mobilizing their affiliates to defend what they believe as theirs. They are mobilising resources for war, in disregard of the economic challenges facing the country”.
The churches, including the Catholic Church, have also rejected a proposed government amendment to the revitalised peace agreement, warning that any premature or unilateral pursuit would undermine its spirit and gains. Rev. Tut Kony Nyang, general secretary of the South Sudan Council of Churches, emphasized that “peace and stability cannot be built through selective implementation or actions taken outside the collective will of the signatories”. He urged all parties to prioritize the welfare of the people above political interests, recognizing that “the prolonged suffering of citizens demands leadership committed to peace, stability and accountability”.
A Spiritual Resolution: Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation
In these dire times, the Catholic Church calls all faithful to fervent prayer and action for peace in South Sudan. Our spiritual response must be rooted in:
- Sacred Scripture: Let us meditate on the words of Christ, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). This Beatitude calls us to actively work for peace and justice, even in the most challenging circumstances.
- The Holy Eucharist: In the Holy Mass, we unite our prayers with the sacrifice of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Let us offer the Eucharist for an end to violence, for the conversion of hearts, and for true reconciliation in South Sudan.
- The Sacrament of Confession: We seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation to purify our own hearts and to pray for the forgiveness of sins that fuel conflict, asking for the grace to be instruments of peace.
- The Holy Rosary: We turn to the Blessed Mother, Queen of Peace, through the Rosary. We pray for her intercession for the people of South Sudan, for their protection, and for the wisdom of their leaders.
- Eucharistic Adoration: Let us spend time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, interceding for all who suffer from violence and displacement, that they may find comfort, hope, and the path to lasting peace.
For trusted updates on the Church’s global mission and further resources on peace and justice, we encourage you to visit www.ewtnvatican.com.
