South Sudan marked the 10th Christmas since the country’s independence in July 2011.  Although progress has been seen in various sectors, challenges still abound in certain areas such as environmental, economic and social sectors, leaving the people to question the hope in the new year. Last week, The City Review’s Sheila Ponnie was able to spend a little time with the Most Reverend Justin Badi Arama.  He is the Archbishop and Primate of the Province of the Episcopal Church in Juba. The cleric offered his thoughts on what 2021 and its challenges and the new year. 

Sheila Ponnie: Thank you very much for honouring an interview with The City Review. What is your Christmas message to South Sudan?

Arama: My dear fellow citizens, may you all experience the joy and peace of the newborn child Jesus Christ as we celebrate him as God’s gift of love to the world. For [God so] loved the world that he gave his one and only son that, whoever believes in him, shall not perish. But have eternal life.

Have the joy of Christmas to empower us to move from darkness to light, from violence to peace. And from bitterness to betterness with love towards ourselves; our neighbours and our beloved country, South Sudan. Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased to look for verse.

Sheila Ponnie: Has anything changed in the country since your last Christmas message three years ago?

Arama: Since last Christmas to this Christmas? Yes.

I see some changes in people’s hearts and attitudes, and I continue to pray that God will do his miracles that are beyond human understanding in the life of South Sudanese and all our leaders.

Sheila Ponnie: As part of the council of churches, do you feel there is progress towards peace, “justice”, liberty, and prosperity”?

Arama: Yes. I’m very optimistic. The leaders are trying to offer hope as we see them struggling to implement the revitalised agreement. They are giving hope to South Sudanese, though. We complain that it should be quicker, but they are on the road, and we continue to encourage them to take more steps until we achieve what South Sudan is our longing for.

Sheila Ponnie: What do you suggest that we can do to achieve all these. What do we need?

Arama: There are many things required.  First, we need to have the fear of God in our lives. And secondly, we need to demonstrate the values of Christianity as we implement the agreement. The value actually is love, reconciliation, forgiveness and peace and the value of life. So that is needed from all South Sudanese. It is not a particular person on leaders only, but all of us have to demonstrate this in our lives and our relationship with one another. And again, it requires political will and commitment to implement what we had promised and committed ourselves to do. So, all these together will be able to produce the fruits that we are longing for.

Sheila Ponnie: What is your parting shot to South Sudanese?

Arama: My message to all South Sudanese and all our leaders is that 2022 should be a year of bringing glory to God. In all we do, if we can glorify God through his word, which was echoed by the angels, who have that glory to God in the highest and peace on Earth to do. Those with whom God is pleased. That’s why I can say; let’s all prioritise to please God in all our actions in all our doing in everything as we live and continue in the new year.