South Sudanese Churches Push Digital Pledge for Peace as Tensions Mount

Radio was used to incite violence during the 1994 Rwanda genocide, spreading false reports and dehumanising language. Now, some fear that digital technology could play a similar role in South Sudan, a country at risk of returning to civil war.

Between 2013 and 2018, South Sudan was wracked by civil war between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those who followed his Vice-President, Riek Machar. The war officially ended in 2018, but conflict continued in parts of the country because of inter-tribal rivalry and the refusal of smaller armed groups to lay down their arms. Last year, larger-scale fighting broke out again, and Machar was arrested.

The country’s first national elections since independence are due in seven weeks. With the main opposition leader in jail and conflict worsening, it is unknown whether the results will be accepted, or whether the elections will take place at all.

Churches in the country are working to counter fake news, hate speech and online incitement. The “Digital Pledge for Peace” was signed by women from the Abyei and Twic communities in July of last year. Other groups and churches are now joining the movement, in which Christians and Christian leaders repent of past online activity and pledge to set a better example.

Paul Lueth, a local man who works with the Church Mission Society (CMS), said, “A single post, share, or voice note can directly cause loss of innocent lives, displacement of families, and community destruction.” He added, “As disciples, our online behaviour must reflect our faith. Jesus called us to be peacemakers in Matthew 5:9, and biblical stewardship requires self-control over our keyboards just as much as our tongues.” Pointing to the practical side of such commitments, he showed that restraint in speech is a daily discipline for believers (Romans 12:18).

According to CMS, Christians in the region are running events that promote using words to build each other up rather than to incite violence. The lack of connections and infrastructure in rural areas, however, is a challenge, and pastoral follow-ups are difficult to arrange.

Joan Busolo, CMS regional manager for Africa, said, “South Sudan’s peacemakers are bringing a stark reminder to the global Church: digital interactions are never neutral. Words shared online carry real-world weight, making digital responsibility an essential duty for Christians everywhere.”

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