Rebuilding Hope in South Sudan - May 2022 Update
Akobo Peace and Restoration Conference February 24-March 5, 2022
The Nuer Christian Youth Network for Peace and Development (NCYNPD) is a church-affiliated youth association formed in 2008 by a group of young Christians in Gambella, Ethiopia. It was formed to revitalize the faith of young Nuer Christians, encourage them to live a life of Christ-likeness and be able to transform others to live in peace and harmony with one another as good disciples of the Lord Jesus. The organization has conducted several spiritual conferences across the Nuer community in Ethiopia and South Sudan. This year, the NCYNPD conducted its 15th annual conference in Akobo, South Sudan with the theme “Peace and Restoration for the Akobo Community.” It is with deep gratitude that we acknowledge the gift of The Outreach Foundation, which made this significant conference possible.
The Conflict Situation
Akobo is inhabited by a majority Nuer tribal subdivision (Lou-Nuer) and an Anywaa minority group. Both Anywaa and Lou-Nuer used to live in peace with one another. However, the Anywaa minority was displaced due to conflicts with Lou-Nuer and Murlee. The Lou-Nuer in Akobo developed internal conflicts as well. The Lou-Nuer armed themselves against the threat from Murlee cattle raiders but then turned their guns on their own people in a ceaseless round of revenge killings. According to a report from the local government, 216 people have died as a result of the revenge killings.
Intervention of the Nuer Christian Youth Network in Akobo
Several interventions to resolve the conflict and reconcile the conflicting groups have been attempted over the years by both church leaders and Lou-Nuer elders, without any success. However, in February 2022 when the Nuer Christian Youth Network group stepped in, dramatic changes occurred. The Ethiopian Nuer Christian Youth team that went to Akobo comprised 4,530 people. The Akobo Peace Conference was attended by 68,450. These numbers are astounding and have never happened in the past.
The following strategies were used by the leadership of the association:
• Common critical issues that fueled the conflicts were identified and prioritized.
• Groups in conflict were identified by the local county government and Christian churches.
• The conference began with public fasting which included county officials and military personnel. This was unique and dramatic. The majority of the people heard the Gospel that day.
• There was public confession and repentance among the volunteers.
• The coordination committees together with the local government leadership reached out to the villages where the most antagonistic groups live. Dialogues and mini-conferences were conducted.
Immediate Outcomes of the Peace Conference in Akobo
What made the 15th annual Nuer Christian Youth Network Peace Conference remarkable was the intervention of the Lord Jesus Christ through the testimonies, confessions, and repentance which happened among the people in Akobo. Some individuals who were victims of the conflicts confessed and repented. They asked for God’s forgiveness. It was such an unusual act for a victim to publicly confess and speak out. This broke the hearts of many people. It was then that we witnessed the presence and power of the Lord.
The other unique event was the rain that showered the area as we stepped onto Akobo land. Whenever we traveled to visit the villages of the conflicting parties, we were accompanied by rain which showered the land that had been dried up for months. We considered this a sign of blessing and forgiveness toward the conflicting communities, who also recognized the rain as a blessing from God. It was rare for the rains to fall during February or March. There had not been enough rain for the last two years to produce a harvest.
As a result of the peace conference, the most aggressive groups publicly announced that they will no longer live in conflict with each other and decided to forgive each other. One man said that he did not wish to see the continuation of the conflict, even though he has lost both of his sons. He asked for God’s forgiveness and prayed that other people’s children would no longer die. There were many others who publicly confessed and asked for God’s forgiveness. This was followed by community dialogues and discussions held in the villages.
We praise God for all these blessings. We are so thankful to Him for making a way where there is no way, humanly speaking, through repentance and forgiveness toward peace and reconciliation.
Rev. James Gadet, President, West Gambella Bethel Synod
Read more about Rebuilding Hope in South Sudan HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Rebuilding Hope in South Sudan. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help address the needs requested by the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan including trauma healing training, early childhood education, Bibles, and emergency relief. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.