# South Sudan bishop calls for peace over violence

> On International Day of Peace, a South Sudanese bishop urges leaders and citizens to choose dialogue, reconciliation, and justice over conflict.
- Title: South Sudan bishop calls for peace over violence · Vaticannews
- Summary: On International Day of Peace, a South Sudanese bishop urges leaders and citizens to choose dialogue, reconciliation, and justice over conflict. Peace…
- Keywords: south sudan, sudan, bishop eduardo hiiboro kussala, tombura-yambio, international day of peace, reconciliation, political violence, displacement, dialogue, justice and peace commission, catholic bishops conference, religion
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/africa/news/2026-09/south-sudan-our-wounds-belong-to-our-history-leave-a-legacy-o.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-09-22T11:25:04.907+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: south sudan, sudan, bishop eduardo hiiboro kussala, tombura-yambio, international day of peace, reconciliation, political violence, displacement, dialogue, justice and peace commission, catholic bishops conference, religion
## Bishop calls for peace commitment
On International Day of Peace, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio urged South Sudan's people to renew commitment to peace, reconciliation, and justice.

> Peace begins with me. Peace begins with you. Peace begins with us.
## Peace requires more than absence of war
Bishop Kussala emphasized that peace demands justice, dignity, security, reconciliation, and the courage to rebuild trust after years of violence.

> Peace is more than the absence of war. It requires justice, dignity, security, reconciliation, and the courage to rebuild trust.
## Wounds belong to history, not future
The bishop acknowledged decades of suffering from conflict and displacement, but called on South Sudan to leave a legacy of peace rather than perpetuate inherited trauma.

> Our peoples have carried wounds for too long. But our wounds belong to our history; peace is the legacy we must leave to our children.
## Dialogue must replace confrontation
Bishop Kussala appealed to political leaders and citizens to use dialogue and mutual respect instead of violence, especially as Sudan and South Sudan prepare for elections.

> Let dialogue replace confrontation, and let public authority serve the common good.
## Young people must build bridges
The bishop urged South Sudan's youth to reject inherited divisions and hatred, instead becoming agents of reconciliation through education, faith, and service.

> Do not inherit the hatred of yesterday. Build bridges across communities and differences.
## All institutions must choose healing
Bishop Kussala called on families, churches, mosques, traditional leaders, and media to take responsibility for building peace through their words and actions.
## Key takeaway

Peace requires more than ending war; it demands justice, dignity, security, and the courage to rebuild trust across divided communities.