Anglican Communion representative addresses U.N. Council session about tensions in South Sudan

[Anglican Communion News Service] The Anglican Communion’s United Nations representative in Geneva, the Rev. Glen Ruffle, spoke to the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in late February about the need for politicians in South Sudan to show more commitment to the nation’s peace process.

Tensions in South Sudan are rising, and on March 5 the embassies of the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany the Netherlands and Norway issued an “Urgent Call for Peace” deploring the violence in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State and increased tensions among national politicians

Ruffle spoke from the insights of Anglican churches in South Sudan to call for attention on subnational violence, including widespread violence against women and girls. The mediation work done by churches was highlighted and a plea was made for South Sudanese politicians to work with the South Sudan Council of Churches on dialogue to reduce tensions.

Alongside this, he called for renewed commitment by politicians to South Sudan’s revitalized peace process, which will enable security reform and help diffuse tensions among the national elite. This echoes calls made by Pope Francis, former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields, former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to South Sudanese political leaders during their Pilgrimage of Peace in 2023.

Ruffle also emphasized the suffering experienced by many women and girls across South Sudan and the need for more reliable prosecution of violence against them as well as the need for investment in microfinance and literacy opportunities — like those offered by the Mothers’ Union — recognizing women and girls’ equal value with men and boys.

Ruffle said, “It is important that we encourage South Sudan’s politicians to be serious in engaging with the peace process, and that we keep highlighting the immense suffering and violence to stop South Sudan slipping from the world’s radar.”

Since 2013, South Sudan has experienced cycles of civil war, which are estimated to have taken the lives of over 400,000 people and displaced millions from their homes. In 2018, politicians signed a revitalized peace agreement which set a course for a transitional government, united army and elections. The agreement holds and progress is being made, but significant reforms are years behind schedule and violence outside the capital has continued. Recent clashes inside Juba’s political elite have raised concerns that the agreement may be in greater danger.

The Anglican Communion’s UN advocacy team has urged people to pray with all South Sudanese Christians that the agreement holds.

The full text of Ruffle’s statement is available here.