Working for Peace and Reconciliation in South Sudan

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has been profoundly shaped by protracted conflict, political instability, and economic fragility since gaining independence in 2011. Despite the optimism that accompanied statehood, the country has been beset by recurrent violence, widespread displacement, and fragile governance structures. These challenges have significantly undermined social cohesion, weakened institutions, and left deep physical and psychological scars on its people.

Within this fragile context, Solidarity with South Sudan—a Catholic, inter-congregational initiative—has emerged as a key actor engaged in grassroots peacebuilding, reconciliation, and social reconstruction. Its mission is rooted in the promotion of peaceful coexistence, trauma healing, and sustainable development through education, healthcare, agriculture, and community empowerment. Unlike many short-term interventions, its approach seeks to foster resilience and long-term transformation at both community and institutional levels.

Reconciliation as an Ongoing Process

According to its new Executive Director, Fr. Hyacinthe Loua, SJ, the work of reconciliation remains both urgent and unfinished. He

underscores that the challenge extends beyond interpersonal relationships to encompass political leadership and governance: “We still need to work hard on the question of reconciliation, the question of living together. We are in a country at war even now. Our mission is to help people to live together—not only the people, but also those leading the country.”

This articulation resonates with John Paul Lederach’s theory of conflict transformation, which emphasizes the need to build sustainable relationships, cultivate trust, and address root causes of conflict rather than merely managing violence.

It is in this perspective that the Bishops of South Sudan, through their recent pastoral letters, have likewise called for dialogue, reconciliation, and peace. Their stance provides not only spiritual legitimacy but also political weight, reinforcing Solidarity with South Sudan’s mission as part of the broader ecclesial and societal response to conflict.

Fr Hyacinthe Loua, SJ, recognizes that “the journey toward lasting peace and reconciliation in South Sudan has been fraught with challenges. Despite efforts to address the underlying causes of conflict through national dialogues, peace agreements, and international peacebuilding frameworks, the process of healing and rebuilding trust among local communities remains largely unfinished”. While national peace agreements have often focused on political negotiations and military ceasefires, as he said, “they have failed to adequately address the deep-seated the origin of different kind of violence that communities continue to experience in South Sudan”. This violent shock, which includes not only physical violence but also emotional, cultural, psychological, and spiritual wounds, remains a barrier to true reconciliation in South Sudan. What are the challenges in this conflict environment?

Education and Peacebuilding

Education emerges as one of the most pressing challenges and priorities. Years of conflict have severely disrupted the education system, leading to shortages of qualified teachers and health professionals. Fr. Hyacinthe Loua, SJ, identifies education as both a developmental necessity and a peacebuilding strategy: “A significant proportion of South Sudanese have migrated or been displaced as a consequence of ongoing conflict and instability. However, for those who remain within the country, access to quality education constitutes a critical necessity. The shortage of trained professionals is particularly evident in the healthcare sector, where the lack of adequately prepared personnel undermines the capacity to provide essential services to the population. Education, therefore, emerges not only as a developmental priority but also as a foundational pillar for national recovery and stability. Its advancement requires the active participation and commitment of all sectors of society, as collective engagement is indispensable for building a resilient and sustainable future for the country”.

This perspective aligns with scholarship that situates education within the framework of “positive peace” (Galtung, 1996), where structural transformation—through capacity- building, training, and the dissemination of knowledge—becomes a precondition for sustainable peace. In this sense, education is not only instrumental for economic development but also constitutive of reconciliation, as it fosters critical skills, civic responsibility, and social trust.

In this context marked by protracted conflict, intercommunal violence, and social fragmentation, customary institutions, rituals, and culturally embedded conflict- resolution practices, what is the relevance of traditional and cultural mechanisms in the peacebuilding process within South Sudan? Are Traditional and Cultural Mechanisms Still Relevant for Peacebuilding in South Sudan?

Peace, Trust, and Social Cohesion

Beyond education, peace itself is framed as a challenge requiring constant reinforcement. Fr. Hyacinthe Loua’s reflections suggest that reconciliation must be understood not solely as conflict reduction but as cultural transformation: “the gradual rebuilding of trust, solidarity, and coexistence among diverse communities”. This vision reflects theories of social healing, which argue that post-war societies require both structural reform and relational transformation to overcome cycles of violence.

Concrete progress is evident. Solidarity with South Sudan has significantly contributed to the formation of catechists and Christian community leaders, particularly in rural areas where priests and professionals are scarce. The Bishops themselves have increasingly turned to Solidarity with South Sudan to provide training and formation, recognizing the pivotal role of faith-based actors in sustaining resilience and transmitting values of peace and reconciliation.

Trauma Healing, Agricultural, health and Teacher Training are also some important challenges. Solidarity with South Sudan’s initiatives extend beyond education into trauma healing, agricultural training, and teacher training. In the particular way, Fr. Loua thinks that Trauma healing is regarded as essential in a society marked by pervasive violence and intergenerational trauma. Without addressing these psychological dimensions, reconciliation efforts risk remaining superficial.

Similarly, agricultural training contributes directly to food security, thereby addressing structural vulnerabilities that fuel instability. As Fr. Loua notes, equipping farmers with improved techniques enhances livelihoods and strengthens local resilience. Teacher training remains another central focus, based on the conviction that educators’ function as multipliers who will transmit knowledge, values, and civic skills to future generations: “If we want to develop the country, we need to train the teachers—those who will be training the youth.”

A Mission of Shared Responsibility

The mission of Solidarity with South Sudan illustrates the interconnection between peacebuilding, education, and community development in fragile states. It demonstrates that reconciliation cannot be achieved solely through political settlements but requires long-term investment in people, institutions, and social trust.

For Fr. Loua, the task is ongoing and collective. He emphasizes that the work requires not only local participation but also international solidarity: “Solidarity with South Sudan is open to those who like to go there and work there.” His words reflect an enduring conviction that despite the enormity of the challenges, incremental progress is possible.

Ultimately, the mission of Solidarity with South Sudan is framed as an ongoing, collective endeavor that requires both international solidarity and local ownership. Fr. Loua emphasizes openness to collaboration, underscoring that the pursuit of peace and stability in South Sudan demands a broad coalition of actors committed to reconciliation and development. His perspective reflects both the complexity of the challenges and the enduring hope that transformation, though arduous, is possible.