On January 27, 2025, the South Sudan Council of Churches and PAX launched a booklet titled “Active Non-Violence” to empower church leaders in fostering peace. This first-of-its-kind resource aims to provide practical guidance for reconciliation efforts amid the country’s violent conflicts. Leaders emphasized the importance of nonviolence as a learned behavior and a divine mandate, encouraging broader community involvement.
On January 27, 2025, the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), in collaboration with PAX, launched a significant booklet titled “Active Non-Violence” in Juba. This initiative aims to empower faith-based leaders to promote peace amid the longstanding conflicts that have plagued South Sudan since its independence in 2011, including the civil war that began in December 2013. The booklet provides practical guidance for fostering reconciliation within communities, making it the first resource of its kind in the country.
Recognizing the urgent need for a new peace approach in South Sudan, SSCC members convened in Kigali, Rwanda, to develop effective strategies. They reached out to PAX, Netherlands’ largest peace organization, which has a mandate focused on protecting civilians and building inclusive peace. The project was realized through the Action Plan for Peace (APP), SSCC’s homegrown strategy to address violence and conflicts.
During the launch, Emmanuel Ira, PAX’s Country Director for South Sudan, emphasized the booklet’s purpose in fostering a just peace and dispelling the notion that South Sudanese communities are inherently violent. He noted that violence is a learned behavior influenced by one’s environment, and the new resource offers insights into embracing nonviolence.
SSCC General Secretary, Rev. Tut Kony Nyang Kon, reinforced that the booklet serves as a practical tool for deepening the understanding of nonviolence as essential for spiritual life. He articulated that the message of nonviolence extends to all, encouraging church leaders to engage their congregations actively in discussions on nonviolence through sermons and community outreach efforts.
Additionally, James Makuei Chuol, Moderator of the General Assembly Presbyterian Church, highlighted the church’s enduring commitment to peacebuilding, noting that the booklet emerged from the decisions made by church leaders in Lukenya, Kenya, in 2022. This initiative was further inspired by the 2023 Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage led by Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland.
The booklet “Active Non-Violence” represents a crucial resource developed to support peacebuilding efforts in South Sudan. The ongoing conflicts have necessitated urgent measures to foster reconciliation within communities. This initiative illustrates the collaborative spirit among church leaders and international peace organizations to promote a culture of nonviolence and sustainable peace in a region marked by history of violence and civil unrest.
In conclusion, the launch of the “Active Non-Violence” booklet signifies a vital step towards fostering peace and reconciliation in South Sudan. By empowering church leaders and providing them with practical guidance, this initiative aims to reshape community perceptions of violence. The collaboration between SSCC and PAX underscores a collective commitment toward creating a more peaceful and just society, rooted in the principles of nonviolence.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
