Renewed clashes raise alarm in South Sudan
The Catholic Bishops of South Sudan have condemned renewed fighting involving the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition, and other armed groups. They warn that escalating violence threatens the country’s future and places civilians at heightened risk.
Catholic bishops spotlight Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria insecurity
In a statement signed by Stephen Ameyu Martin Cardinal Mulla, President of the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba, the bishops say they are deeply concerned by worsening insecurity in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria states.
They also criticise alleged calls for violence against civilians, arguing that such rhetoric can accelerate instability. The bishops frame the issue as both a security challenge and a test of national responsibility among leaders and communities.
Call for dialogue and unity over division
“This country is more than any human desire; it is a home for thousands of generations to come,” the bishops say, urging political and military leaders to stop hostilities and return to dialogue. They add that South Sudan has no alternative homeland, appealing for unity.
R-ARCSS implementation questioned amid humanitarian strain
The bishops express concern about what they describe as a disregard for the full implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, signed in September 2018. They link infighting in the unity government and continued attacks to displacement and hunger.
“As shepherds and leaders in this country, we are alarmed and surprised by the total disregard for the full implementation of the revitalized peace agreement,” the statement says, adding that insecurity is spreading quickly and worsening humanitarian conditions.
Armed robberies and civilian safety in Juba and beyond
Beyond frontlines, the bishops point to a rise in armed robberies targeting motorists and civilians, including incidents reported in Juba and other locations. They present the trend as further evidence of eroding public safety and growing fear in daily life.
Bishops denounce alleged incitement by senior military figure
The statement singles out an alleged speech attributed to Gen. Johnson Olony, identified as Deputy Chief of the SSPDF for Mobilization and Disarmament, accusing him of advocating indiscriminate violence against civilians in Jonglei State.
“Directing forces to ‘spare no lives’ is a direct call to genocide,” the bishops say, urging armed actors to reject orders that endanger civilians or inflame communal tensions. The bishops’ language underscores the gravity they attach to civilian protection.
Social media hate speech and misinformation under scrutiny
The bishops also warn about hate speech, misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media platforms. They argue that such content intensifies tribal divisions, fuels incitement, and deepens mistrust between communities at a time when restraint is critical.
Church recalls earlier warnings and Pope Francis’ 2023 message
The bishops recall previous statements to political leaders, including a July warning last year against sidelining dialogue in favour of military approaches. They argue that persistent conflict reflects the exclusion of genuine dialogue and the mistaken reliance on force.
They also cite their annual plenary meeting in Malakal last November, where they urged full implementation of the peace agreement to rebuild public confidence. The statement references Pope Francis’ 2023 visit, when he appealed for an end to war and a new era of rebuilding.
Appeal to leaders to listen and protect citizens’ dignity
Addressing both government and opposition leaders, the bishops question whether leadership decisions are guided by the country’s wellbeing or by the pursuit of power and wealth. They present the question as a moral challenge with immediate political consequences.
Appealing to the government, they urge leaders to listen to one another and to the people they claim to fight for. They stress that citizens are not property, but human beings seeking peace, dignity and freedom.