What Should the Churches Do to Stop Kiir’s War Crimes?

Communique - The role of South Sudans Churches

What Should the Churches Do to Stop Kiir’s War Crimes?

What Would Jesus Do?

He would name the murderers.
He would weep with the raped.
He would confront the generals who pray with one hand and bomb children with the other.
He would not be silent.

And neither should the Church

We are all God's Children , from all the 64 nations.

1. Move from Prophetic Silence to Prophetic Witness

“This kind can come out only by prayer.” — Mark 9:29

But Jesus also cast out demons in public, not in private.

The churches must:

Name the perpetrators of war crimes from the pulpit—including those in government and army uniforms.

Condemn the burning of civilians in Leer, the drone bombings in Fangak, the starvation in Panyijiar, not just in whispers—but in sermons, press releases, and open-air prayers.

Refuse to bless or host any government event until war crimes cease and justice begins.

2. Break Ties with the Regime

The regime uses religious leaders as decorations, inviting them to rubber-stamp “prayers for peace” while funding attacks the next morning.

Refuse to appear in state-sponsored religious charades.

Reject any money or gifts from regime officials implicated in atrocities.

Publicly distance the church from the corrupt “National Dialogue” and Kiir’s fake unity campaigns.

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers... what fellowship can light have with darkness?" — 2 Corinthians 6:14

3. Protect Victims, Shelter Truth-Tellers

The church must become a sanctuary for whistleblowers, displaced civilians, and traumatized survivors—not a neutral observer.

Offer safe spaces for those fleeing SSPDF and RSF abuses.

Document testimonies of mass rapes, killings, and abductions—and send them to the African Union, UNHRC, and ICC.

Support local intercessors and activists under threat with food, shelter, and visibility.

4. Call for the Hybrid Court and International Justice

Prayer is powerful, but justice is part of the Gospel. The churches must:

Demand immediate activation of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.

Urge the arrest and prosecution of war criminals—no matter how high their office.

Form a faith-based justice coalition to push for accountability across churches, mosques, and civil society.

“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” — Amos 5:24

5. Declare a Spiritual Boycott of Kiir’s Violence

Imagine if the churches announced:

“We will no longer bury the lies. We will no longer bless mass murder with silence. Until the killing stops, we fast, we weep, we withdraw all cooperation with this regime.”

That would shake the nation more than 1,000 guns ever could.

FINAL WORD:

You cannot pray away evil you refuse to name.

You cannot fast while feeding from the hand of Pharaoh.
You cannot be neutral when your people are burning.
The church must become dangerous again.
Dangerous to tyranny.
Dangerous to apathy.
Dangerous to warlords in suits.

Only then will the 70 days of prayer become the birth of liberation, not another moment of holy avoidance.

Statement by the Press Office of SSFDA

"As believers in freedom, dignity, and justice, we call upon all faith leaders in South Sudan to remember their sacred duty: to defend the flock, not flatter the pharaoh. The Church must rise again—not as a servant of tyranny, but as a beacon of truth."