Churches and politicians in South Sudan call for 'lasting peace' in Easter messages

Church leaders and politicians in South Sudan have used their Easter messages to call for "lasting peace" and an end to the sporadic killings and conflict rife in the country.

Delivered to worshippers at churches of different Christian denominations across the nation, some blamed the nationwide violence on the country's leadership.

The UN has repeatedly warned that South Sudan is at risk of sliding back into a full-scale civil war.

Last week, 74 mine workers were killed by gunmen in Jebel-Iraq, south-west of the capital, Juba. The government and opposition officials have traded accusations over who was responsible.

Santo Loku Pio, the principal celebrant at St Theresa's Cathedral, Juba, said: "Christians don't practice hatred, they don't practice violence that leads to death of someone or somebody, and many other things that destroy life.

"If you are told to go and kill, refuse, even if it means losing your job," he said, telling people to "be a man or woman of peace".

"This is what Easter is all about," he added.

Directing part of his message to South Sudan's leaders, Pio asked that they let their mindset and actions be changed.

"Be good leaders - good governors, good commissioners, good ministers and good servants of the society. It is time for us to rise above violence, let us do the right thing and I think peace will reign."

An Easter message from President Salva Kiir similarly called for "peace, reconciliation and unity".

Delivered on his behalf by his press secretary at the St Theresa Cathedral, he told people that Easter was a time to remember that "even in our darkest moments, hope is never lost".

"Let us forgive one another, and support one another, and work hand in hand, and build a country that reflects the strength and dignity of its people."

The Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Anglican Primate, Justin Badi Arama, told worshippers at Juba's All Saints Cathedral to "persevere and work for lasting peace".

"We need urgent action to end violence in South Sudan and restore human dignity across our nation," he said.

A congregration standing outside a church with the latin phrase Haec est domus Dei written on the front. The church is in the centre of the picture and the doors are open with people going through them. — A key message for people attending church was one of ending violence and for lasting peace [BBC/Nichola Mandil]

Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in the south-western city of Yambio, also urged for peace.

"We want to pray for protection of life and we want to tell everybody that God is the source of life," he said.

With fighting having intensified in South Sudan, there are fears it could plunge back into a civil war, less than a decade after it ended.

Last week, the US Embassy released a statement calling for the release of opposition politicians - including suspended First Vice-President, Riek Machar - as a condition for holding successful elections, and as a positive step in support of peace and accountability.

Machar is currently under house arrest and on trial for charges of treason, war crime and crime against humanity, which he denies.

His party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) has denounced the charges as a "political witch-hunt" and a move to "dismantle" a 2018 peace accord that ended a five-year civil war.

South Sudan is the world's youngest nation, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011.