Praying for South Sudan: Teetering on the Edge of Genocide

"The signs are all there for the spread of this ethnic hatred and targeting of civilians that could evolve into genocide, if something is not done now to stop it. I urge the people of South Sudan to take action." 

Adama Dieng

UN Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide

Juba, South Sudan -- November 11, 2016

This past Friday, many Canadians laid wreaths and participated in Remembrance Day services and gatherings that honoured our veterans and the sacrifice of our war dead. We gave thanks for peace and reflected on the consequences of hatred and brokenness in our world. On that same day, in a very different part of the world, leaders in South Sudan were confronted with grave warnings that the present violence is spiralling towards genocide. The forces of arrogant pride, fear of the other, and the lust for power continue to breed war and violence.

Earlier in October, Erica and I spent a day with refugees who had come to Nairobi with Canadian Baptist Ministries' South Sudanese partner church, FEBAC. We listened and prayed as they shared their stories, and explained what the conflict was doing to their country. 

The concerns that they raised were recently echoed by the Sudan Tribune, which reported the findings of the United Nations Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide on Saturday, November 12. Adama Dieng admitted that his investigation confirmed that "what began as a political conflict has transformed into what could become and outright ethnic war."

Over the past few months, since the fighting erupted in July, 320,000 South Sudanese refugees have fled to neighbouring countries. Richard Ruati, a spokesperson for UNHCR in South Sudan, describes the situation that these families and individuals are facing:

“The refugees are fleeing due to armed groups harassing civilians, killings and torture of people suspected of supporting opposing factions, burning of villages, sexual assaults of women and girls and forced recruitment of young men and boys from the Equatoria region.” 

For an in-depth report on this situation, we recommend reading IRIN's recent analysis Who can stop the threat of Genocide in South Sudan?

Please join us in praying for our friends and partners in South Sudan.

We remember pastor's like Reverend Jeremiah, who continues to travel throughout the camps and among the churches around Juba to encourage congregations and to assist in the food relief efforts of CBM and FEBAC.

We pray for the leaders of this country, that God might fill them with mercy and humility needed to bring an end to this conflict.

We pray for the millions of South Sudanese people who have lost homes, livelihoods, family and friends from the fighting. May our God of reconciliation work miracles. May peace return and healing begin.