By Emmanuel Mandella
The United States Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler, has made a passionate appeal for peace and reconciliation in the country, urging leaders and citizens alike to abandon violence and work toward a lasting solution.
Speaking at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Juba, Adler emphasized the urgent need for national unity, especially in light of recent violent incidents in Upper Nile State.
“This is a particularly appropriate time for this event,” said Adler, acknowledging the ongoing Christian season of Lent and the Muslim observance of Ramadan. “It is a time when many people around the world, including many South Sudanese, focus on prayer, repentance, and reconciliation.”
The Ambassador reflected on South Sudan’s turbulent history, noting that if he were South Sudanese, his life would have been shaped by four civil wars. “My deepest wish for your country is that the South Sudanese people have peace,” he stated.
His remarks come at a critical moment as reports of renewed violence in Upper Nile State have raised concerns about the fragile security situation in the country. While South Sudan continues its journey of implementing the revitalized peace agreement, sporadic conflicts between armed groups have threatened to back-peddle the progress.
Adler urged all South Sudanese, regardless of their backgrounds, to embrace peace as a shared responsibility.
“Each human life is sacred, whether it is a rich person’s, a poor person’s, a civilian’s, a soldier’s, a man’s, a woman’s, a child’s, and irrespective of the person’s ancestry, tribe, race, religion, or creed,” he declared. “It is time to end the use of violence as a tool for political competition.”
The Ambassador highlighted the deep historical ties between the United States and South Sudan, noting that American civil society played a significant role in advocating for South Sudanese independence. He acknowledged that much of this support came through faith-based organizations, underscoring the importance of religious institutions in fostering peace and reconciliation.
“As so many of these private U.S. citizens worked through their churches and other religious institutions. I am delighted to see you gather today for this important discussion,” Adler said. He called on church leaders and faith-based organizations to take an active role in guiding South Sudan toward peace, not just in words but in action.
His closing words resonated with the audience: “May your efforts continue beyond this workshop. May they advance the sacred objectives of peace and reconciliation for all South Sudanese, from all parts of the country.