General News and Announcements

January 20, 2012

The ACT Alliance, of which the United Church is a member, is warning of a looming humanitarian crisis unfolding in Jonglei, the largest state in the new and vulnerable Republic of South Sudan. "A sustainable peace process is critical to bringing stability to the region and paving the way for development. The UN, the South Sudanese government and donor governments should act promptly—not only to support the victims of this conflict, but to find a solution to end it," says ACT's General Secretary, John Nduna. ACT Alliance has launched a humanitarian response.

Violent clashes between the Murle and Lou Nuer tribes have affected more than 60,000 people and resulted in at least 1,000 deaths in 2011. Cattle are a source of wealth and income, so cattle-raiding between pastoralist tribes in Jonglei is not unusual. However, the level of current violence is alarming. After 21 years of war with the north, and decades of marginalization and neglect, South Sudan is fragile. Read “South Sudan: A Beacon of Hope?” on the AfricaFiles site to learn more about what needs to be done for sustainable peace and development.