Archbishop Justin Badi Arama calls for “an end to this senseless violence ... in a country where Christians and Muslims live side by side”.

The Primate of South Sudan, Archbishop Justin Badi-Arama, has spoken out against the “senseless violence” occurring in parts of the country. He made his comments after a violent attack last weekend in the northern village of Dungob Alei, which resulted in the deaths of 13 people, with a further eight injured.

In a statement, the Episcopal Church of South Sudan said that its Diocese of Abyei sits in the most northern part of South Sudan, in “an area that experiences Islamic encroachments followed by harassment, intimidation and frequent attacks carried out by Arab Islamic militias”.

Giving details of the weekend’s violence, the Bishop of Abyei, Michael Deng Bol, said that the village of Dungob-Alei, which lies 5km north-east of Abyei town, had been “barbarically attacked by militiamen of Sudan since around 5.30 am on Sunday 16 May, killing 13 people and wounding eight others. The fighting is still continuing up to now [late Monday night].”

Bishop Michael added: “This is not the first attack of its kind. In 2020 Kolom village, 12km away from Abyei town, and Mabok Diil village, 18km east of Abyei town, were also attacked in the same way with 38 killed and 22 wounded, together with the abduction of 17 children and burning down of 77 houses including our prayer centres and medical facilities.”

The Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Archbishop Justin Badi Arama, condemned the “barbaric attacks” and called for “an end to this senseless violence by the few in a country where Christians and Muslims live side by side”.

Archbishop Justin said: “your prayers for the people of the Diocese of Abyei are requested along with prayers for wisdom and protection for Bishop Michael Deng Bol as he ministers in this situation.”