On 28th February the Anglican Communion spoke at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva, echoing calls in the report from the UN’s Commission of Human Rights for South Sudan’s politicians to show more commitment to the peace processes.

Tensions in South Sudan are rising, and this week the Embassies of the US, EU, UK, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway have issued a “Urgent Call for Peace” deploring the violence in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State and increased tensions among national politicians. Read it here.

Speaking into the UN HRC on February 28, Reverend Glen Ruffle (the Anglican Communion’s UN representative in Geneva) drew from the insights of Anglican churches in South Sudan to call for attention on subnational violence, including widespread violence against women and girls. The mediation work done by churches was highlighted and a plea was made for South Sudanese politicians to work with the South Sudan Council of Churches on dialogue to reduce tensions.

Alongside this, the Anglican Communion’s UN representative called for renewed commitment by politicians to South Sudan’s revitalised peace process, which will enable security reform and help diffuse tensions among the national elite. This echoes calls made by Pope Francis, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and former Moderator of the Church of Scotland to South Sudanese political leaders during their Pilgrimage of Peace in 2023.

Revd Glen Ruffle also emphasised the suffering experienced by many women and girls across South Sudan and the need for more reliable prosecution of violence against them as well as the need for investment in microfinance and literacy opportunities (like those offered by the Mothers’ Union), recognising women and girls’ equal value with men and boys.

Speaking about his work at the Human Rights Council, Revd Glen Ruffle, said “It is important that we encourage South Sudan’s politicians to be serious in engaging with the peace process, and that we keep highlighting the immense suffering and violence to stop South Sudan slipping from the world’s radar.”

Since 2013, South Sudan has experienced cycles of civil war, which are estimated to have taken the lives of over 400,000 people and displaced millions from their homes. In 2018, politicians signed a revitalised peace agreement which set a course for a transitional government, united army and elections. The agreement holds and progress is being made, but significant reforms are years behind schedule and violence outside the capital has continued. Recent clashes inside Juba’s political elite have raised concerns that the agreement may be in greater danger. The Anglican Communion’s UN advocacy team is urging prayer with all South Sudanese Christians that the agreement holds.

You can read the Anglican Communion’s statement to the UN HRoC below.

Anglican Communion statement for the 58th session of the Human Rights Council concerning South Sudan, 28th February 2025.

We welcome this report and its recommendations.

Drawing from our churches across South Sudan, we focus the Council’s attention on continued subnational violence, including violence against women and girls, which affects all parts of the country. To address this, we call for greater commitment to implementing the revitalised peace agreement (R-ARCSS).

The last month alone saw clashes between the SSPDF and armed civilians in Nassir; violence in Western Equatoria following the removal of the Governor; and attacks and revenge attacks between cattle herders and farmers in Eastern and Central Equatoria, causing significant loss of life.

Churches are often mediating in these cases, but tangible change for the people of South Sudan requires full reunification of armed forces, progress on nationwide disarmament and support for law enforcement agencies, in line with the revitalised peace agreement (R-ARCSS).

Although we welcome progress towards elections, through the Tumaini Process and through legislation, without fundamental security reforms and with a culture of widespread impunity, women and children will continue to suffer most.

We recommend South Sudanese political leaders recommit to implementing the revitalised peace agreement (R-ARCSS) and to:

- Work with the South Sudan Council of Churches on dialogue to reduce national tension and subnational violence

- Strengthen prosecution of gender-based violence

- Encourage microfinance and literacy opportunities for women and girls, emphasising their equal value to men and boys

We call for the international community to support this, ensuring a unified approach to the Tumaini talks and to revitalised peace agreement (R-ARCSS) implementation, and avoiding South Sudan slipping out of the world’s attention.

For more information

Watch Reverend Glen Ruffle share his statement at the 11th Meeting - 58th Session of Human Rights Council on UN Web TV (view it at the 14th Minute).

Download the statement from the HRC Meeting notes here under ‘Anglican Consultative Council’.