Juba church violence sparks fresh governance questions
An internal administrative dispute within the Episcopal Church of South Sudan escalated into violence in Juba on Sunday, January 11, 2026. At a press conference on Wednesday, January 14, Moru Congregation leaders described what they called a coordinated assault linked to tensions with the Juba Diocese.
The Moru leadership said incidents unfolded at three church sites, leaving worshippers shaken and raising questions about church governance, property control, and the role of state security. The Juba Diocese had not publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
Moru leaders allege planned operation across three sites
Canon Oneil Yosia Damial, chairperson of the Moru Congregation of Juba, argued the violence was not spontaneous. Canon Oneil Yosia Damial said the congregation received information around January 8 that the Juba Diocese, led by the Most Rev. Dr. Justin Badi Arama, planned to seize churches by force.
Canon Oneil Yosia Damial said letters were sent to the Archbishop and to the Central Equatoria State government requesting intervention. The Moru leadership alleges the action began around 7 a.m. at Nyakuron Moru Congregation, Munuki, and Gudele Moru Congregation.
Eyewitness accounts describe injuries and intimidation
At Nyakuron, Moru leaders said worshippers were beaten using sticks and iron bars. Eyewitnesses also claimed an officer identified as “Chan Abdallah Chan” displayed a pistol to intimidate congregants, according to statements shared at the press conference.
At Munuki and Gudele, Moru leaders said church members prevented forced entry, but still reported injuries. “They started attacking our members, resulting in severe injuries to several women, children, the elderly, and the youth,” Canon Oneil Yosia Damial said.
Security role disputed as letter requesting support is cited
Moru leaders said they have a letter dated January 7, 2026, from the Rt. Rev. Jackson George Gabriel to the Minister of Local Government, requesting security support. In their account, security forces later acted in ways they considered partial rather than protective.
They alleged police participated in the assault and then detained four injured worshippers at Mauna Police Station. “We felt there was a conspiracy somewhere,” the leadership said, alleging coordination between certain church figures and some security personnel.
2008 administrative decision and 2025 autonomy move at the heart
Rev. Dr. Wesley Bokati Nathan linked the dispute to a 2008 decision by the then-administration of the Juba Diocese to dissolve the Moru Congregation’s administrative structure. Moru leaders argue their congregation dates to 1937 and that members purchased land and built churches without diocesan funding.
Rev. Dr. Wesley Bokati Nathan said that on May 10, 2025, the congregation reverted to what it calls its original autonomous status. Moru leaders described that step as “non-negotiable,” framing it as a return to a prior relationship within the wider church.
Property claims and legal strategy raise the stakes
Moru leaders accused the Juba Diocese of seeking control of church properties for commercial investment. They referred to locations in Juba they say were originally connected to the Moru Congregation, and allege some have since been converted into business ventures by the diocese.
John Natana, presented as a legal representative for the church, argued the dispute is fundamentally about resources. “The whole thing behind this current attack is to control our resources,” John Natana said. “It is unspiritual… it is a matter of business.”
Dialogue remains possible, but accountability is demanded
Despite the clashes, Moru leaders said they remain open to discussions on “the parameters of cooperation,” provided administrative and financial autonomy is acknowledged. They said they are working with legal counsel to pursue accountability for what they described as “heinous and brutal aggression.”
“We are not seeking a separate entity from the ECSS,” Rev. Dr. Wesley Bokati Nathan said. He added that Moru seeks a relationship “restored to how it was before 2008,” while rejecting what he described as imposed control over congregants.