Caritas South Sudan “stands with” Catholic Bishops on Parties Involved in Rising Tensions Refraining from Violence

In a March 28 statement, SSS-CBC members, who include Catholic Bishops in Sudan and South Sudan lamented about the “escalating violence and deteriorating political climate in South Sudan.”

They also highlighted clashes between the South Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF – South Sudan’s military force that was previously the Sudan People's Liberation Army), and “the increasing displacement of innocent civilians, especially women, and children” as happenings that “mark a tragic reversal of the peace we have all longed and prayed for.”

“The people of South Sudan have suffered too long. War has taken their children, their homes, their future, and yet again, the dark clouds of conflict hover over our nation,” SSS-CBC members said in their March 28 statement shared with ACI Africa.

The Catholic Church leaders in the two neighbouring countries that were a single nation until the July 2011 split, when South Sudan gained its independence recounted their continued emphasis to implement the 12 September 2018 peace agreement.

“From the beginning of this renewed crisis, we the Church have stood firm in calling for restraint, dialogue, and commitment to the R-ARCSS,” SSS-CBC members said.

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Since the signing of the R-ARCSS in Addis Ababa, peace in South Sudan has been fragile. Despite the agreement, tensions between SSPDF and SPLA-IO have reportedly persisted, fuelled by political rivalries, politics of succession, ethnic divisions, and delays in the full implementation of the peace deal. 

The situation worsened in early 2025, when renewed clashes erupted between the two factions, leading to widespread displacement and casualties.

The reported arrest of the first Vice President, Dr. Machar, which followed the arrest of other leaders in the opposition escalated tensions in the world’s youngest nation, raising fears of a return to large-scale conflict.

In their March 28 collective statement, SSS-CBC members recalled Pope Francis’ words during his visit to Juba in February 2023, saying, “No more bloodshed, no more conflicts, no more violence. Let there be peace!”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.