Juba, South Sudan 26-27/02/2026
The South Sudan Council of Churches hosted a two-day consultative conference bringing together elders from the Jieng (Dinka) and Naath (Nuer) communities to deliberate on peace and reconciliation in South Sudan. The meeting took place on 26–27 February 2026 at the Council of Churches premises in Juba and marked a significant moment in ongoing efforts to address tensions between communities and promote grassroots peace initiatives.
The gathering is the first consultation of its kind between the two councils of elders since their formation. The Jieng Council of Elders itself was only established in 2014, shortly after the outbreak of the country’s Civil War, to coordinate community leadership and engage with other ethnic groups to encourage dialogue and stability.
Participants noted that the Council of Churches has historically played a neutral and credible role in facilitating peace conversations among communities. Because of this convening power and moral authority, the church continues to serve as an important platform where elders can meet, reflect, and seek solutions to recurring conflicts affecting the country.
During the consultation, elders expressed concern about the persistent cycles of inter-communal violence that continue to affect several parts of South Sudan, particularly Warrap, Lakes, Unity, Jonglei, and Upper Nile. These conflicts, often driven by cattle raids, political divisions, and local disputes, have repeatedly displaced communities and undermined social cohesion.
Elders emphasized that sustainable peace cannot be imposed from above but must come from genuine engagement and ownership by community leaders themselves. They stressed that traditional leaders remain influential within their communities and therefore have a responsibility to guide younger generations away from revenge, violence, and hate speech.
The conference also aimed to shift the approach to conflict management from reactive crisis response to proactive and structured dialogue. By bringing together respected elders from both the Jieng and Naath communities, the meeting created space for honest reflection, trust-building, and the exploration of practical ways to strengthen cooperation between communities.
Participants agreed that continued dialogue among elders is essential for addressing tensions before they escalate into violence. They also highlighted the need to develop sustainable local peace mechanisms, including community dialogue forums, early warning systems, and collaboration between traditional leaders, churches, and civil society organizations.
The gathering opened with a prayer and remarks from Most Rev. Justice Badi Arama, who emphasized the responsibility of church leaders and elders to guide communities toward reconciliation and unity.
In his remarks, Archbishop Moses Deng Bol recalled the historic role of elders in peacebuilding, particularly referencing the Wunlit Peace Conference, which brought together communities to end cycles of violence through dialogue. He stressed the importance of reviving people-to-people dialogue, noting that such grassroots engagements historically helped communities overcome political divisions.
Archbishop Deng also highlighted the concept of a New Sudan Council of Elders, emphasising that participants had been invited to the meeting as elders rather than politicians. He encouraged the participants to focus on their moral and cultural responsibility to guide communities toward peace.
Role of Elders in Peacebuilding
During the opening session, the General Secretary of the SSCC, Rev. Tut Kony, reminded participants that elders are the custodians of culture, traditions, and collective memory within their communities. He emphasised that the Jieng and Naath communities share deep historical and cultural ties and should not be viewed as enemies.
He further noted that the history of the two communities and their shared future are intertwined. According to the church leadership, sustainable peace in South Sudan cannot be separated from economic stability and the need to address growing political polarization that continues to affect relations among communities.
Presentation from the Jieng/Naat Councils of Elders
A presentation was delivered by Joshua Dau on behalf of the Jieng Council of Elders, expressing appreciation for the initiative and hope that the dialogue would contribute to meaningful change.
Dau explained that the Jieng Council of Elders was established in 2014 to coordinate with other communities and promote peace and cooperation. He stressed that the council is committed to peace and does not operate as a political platform.
According to Dau, the council has been actively engaging communities both inside South Sudan and within the diaspora, advocating for reconciliation and the restoration of peace. These engagements have included meetings with the Azande, as well as discussions with the Bari and other Equatorian communities, aimed at strengthening inter-community understanding.
He also raised concerns about rumors of revenge and rising tensions that continue to threaten peace in some areas. Dau emphasized that such narratives must be rejected and replaced with dialogue and reconciliation.
Reflecting on the moral responsibility of leaders, he referenced the historic visit of Pope Francis to South Sudan and the message of unity delivered during that visit. He questioned why, despite professing strong Christian values, communities continue to be influenced by conflict and division.
“People must listen to God,” he said, urging communities to turn away from violence and work toward reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
Hon. Gen. James Hoth Mai emphasized that the Nuer, Dinka, and many other communities together built the foundation of South Sudan. He said the country’s shared history, struggles, and sacrifices unite its people as one nation.
Noting South Sudan has experienced conflict for nearly sixty years, and the pain of that long struggle has reached every family, village, and community across the country.
He stressed that the time has now come for dialogue and reconciliation. South Sudanese must rebuild trust among themselves, strengthen unity, and work together to support the government’s efforts to consolidate peace and stability.
Gen. Hoth Mai reminded participants that peace cannot be left to political leaders alone. Instead, it requires the commitment and responsibility of every citizen.
“Peace is not only the responsibility of leaders,” he said. “It is the responsibility of all of us.”
A Call for Peace and Unity
Throughout the discussions, participants reaffirmed the important role elders can play in guiding communities toward dialogue, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The meeting underscored the need for traditional leaders, church institutions, and communities to work together to address tensions and promote unity across South Sudan.
The dialogue concluded with renewed commitments from the elders to continue advocating for peace, strengthening community engagement, and supporting grassroots reconciliation initiatives across the country.