By Jenifer James

South Sudanese women have condemned the ongoing violence in the country and called on the government to take urgent action to address the escalating conflict.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Grace John Kenyi voiced deep concern over recent clashes in Upper Nile State, Nassir and Ulang counties, which broke out on February 14, 2025.

According to Grace, this is a threat and an indication of the collapse of the 2018 peace deal in the country.

‘’We are profoundly alarmed by the growing threats to the revitalized agreement on the resolution of conflict in South Sudan and the Tumaini Initiative, both of which are now at serious risk of collapsing amid rising political instability and insecurity.  These troubling developments are regulating fears of a return to the full scale of war in this country,’’ Grace said.

Grace called on all stakeholders to take immediate and decisive action to end the violence, particularly as it continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, human rights defender Adut Christina has criticized the delay in government intervention in the Upper Nile conflict, which began in February, stressing the need for urgent action.

‘’It indeed started in February, and during that time, we were waiting for the government to make the move; that is the first thing because this is not something that is only related to South Sudan and doesn’t only need women because it is a work of all stakeholders,’’ Adut said.

Adut cautioned that fuelling divisions online would only worsen the situation, emphasizing the need for unity to prevent further instability.

The conflict in Upper Nile state, Nassir County, started last month and led to the killing and displacement of people.

South Sudan Council of Churches calls for peace

Today, the South Sudan Council of Churches held a joint prayer meeting with representatives from the Islamic Council. The meeting was a wake-up call to pray for peace in the country. It was joined by Prof. Partick Lumumba (PLO), the Vice President for the service cluster, Josephine Lagu.