(JUBA) – Church leaders in South Sudan have raised grave concerns over the worsening security and humanitarian situation in the country, saying the suffering of the people has reached a point where silence is no longer an option.
In a statement issued on 5th October 2026, the heads of the South Sudan Council of Churches said communities are being displaced, civilians are being killed and abducted, roads have become dangerous, and humanitarian access is becoming difficult.
The church leaders also said armed youth mobilisation, intercommunal violence and political violence continue to threaten the lives and livelihoods of the people.
In Upper Nile State, particularly Nasir and Ulang counties, renewed armed confrontations and the mobilisation of armed youth have led to deaths, displacement and disruption of humanitarian access, the statement said.
In Jonglei State, counties including Nyirol, Uror, Ayod and Akobo, Twic East, Duk, and Pibor Administrative Area, fighting, intercommunal violence and armed youth mobilisation are causing civilian deaths, displacement and humanitarian concerns.
In Unity State, particularly around Bentiu and Ruweng Administrative Area, insecurity continues to affect displaced and vulnerable communities, according to the statement.
In Warrap State, including Tonj North, Gogrial East and Abyei Administrative Area, intercommunal and revenge related violence remains a serious concern.
In the Equatoria region, insecurity and attacks along roads, including Juba to Mundri, Juba to Torit and Juba to Bor, are threatening civilians and humanitarian operations, while parts of Yei River County continue to experience armed insecurity.
In Western and Eastern Equatoria, communities continue to face the effects of armed confrontations and displacement, the church leaders said.
The South Sudan Council of Churches called on the Government, traditional authorities, armed groups and communities to take immediate action to protect civilians, end violence and revenge attacks, guarantee humanitarian access and commit to dialogue.
The leaders urged all communities to reject hatred, retaliation and violence, and instead work together for peace, reconciliation and the protection of their shared destiny.
The council called for the immediate cessation of hostilities across the country.
It also called for an end to the mobilisation and arming of youth for violence.
The church leaders demanded the protection of civilians in all parts of the country.
They called for the securing of all roads and river transport corridors connecting communities.
They also called for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected communities, and for stronger local peace and reconciliation mechanisms.
The church leaders said South Sudanese have endured decades of conflict and deserve to live without fear of being killed on the roads, displaced from their homes, abducted from their communities, or caught between armed forces and armed youth.
They called on all conflicting parties and communities to choose restraint over retaliation, dialogue over confrontation and reconciliation over revenge.
The leaders said they pray that God will heal the wounded nation and give wisdom to its leaders, and that South Sudan may become a nation where every community can live in peace and dignity.
The statement was signed by the Most Reverend Dr Justin Badi Arama, Chair of the South Sudan Council of Churches and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.
It was also signed by His Eminence Dr Stephen Ameyu Martin Cardinal Mulla, Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba.
Other signatories include the Right Reverend James Makuei Chuol, Moderator of the 34th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, and the Right Reverend Thomas Tut Puot, Moderator of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church.
Bishop Klero Onuha Ingayo, Presiding Bishop of the Africa Inland Church in South Sudan, also signed the statement.
The statement was further signed by Bishop James Lado Emiliano, General Overseer of the Sudan Pentecostal Church, and Reverend Benyken Agak Pal, Chairman of the Sudan Interior Church.
Father Bishay Elantoni Edward, General Vicar of the Coptic Orthodox Church for Khartoum and South Sudan, also signed.
Other signatories were the Right Reverend Kewy Ismail Geng, President of the General Synod of the Sudanese Reformed Church, and Bishop Simon Nyamara Tibi, Presiding Bishop of the Christian Brotherhood Church.
The Right Reverend Jackson George Gabriel, Bishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, and Reverend Tut Kony Nyang Kon, General Secretary of the South Sudan Council of Churches, also signed the statement.
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