Peace-building in South Sudan
In South Sudan, women leaders show the way in dialogue
Photo: Embracing peacemaking – Regina Lueth, local partner from the Twic people group, embraces Mama Rebecca from the Ngok people group
People from Dinka Twic and Dinka Ngok tribes, which have been in conflict since 2017, now worship together in a church plant in Turalei, Warrap State, CMS-Africa reports.
Many had thought such a thing would never be possible. But now, the people groups are working together to build bridges across a longstanding divide.
Children from the two tribes now play together and adults are building community. In their own words, “God has done this.”
The conflict is related to a dispute over a piece of land which is being claimed by both communities. This led to the outbreak of violence. A particularly bad instance of this in 2022 led to the displacement of thousands of people and massive destruction of properties as well as the loss of several innocent lives.
Women take the lead for peace
CMS partners have been facilitating an ongoing peace process and in June 2025, women from these groups came together for a special event: the Twic and Ngok Joint Women Peace Dialogue Meeting.
The event brought together religious leaders, United Nations Mission in South Sudan, government officials, community representatives and more, and was facilitated by local partner Regina Lueth, who teaches theology at St John’s Theological College in Wau.
Women from both people groups committed to be ambassadors of peace in their homes and communities, to encourage forgiveness and respectful dialogue and to lead peacemaking efforts.
They made an impressive list of formal commitments to work for peace:
- Act as peace ambassadors in our homes and communities by messages by sharing peace messages with husbands, sons, daughters, and neighbours.
- Denounce hate speech and incitement, especially through cultural mediums such as music and storytelling.
- Lead peace dissemination efforts through radio stations, churches, schools, health facilities, and local gatherings.
- Engage in women-led exchange visits and trust-building dialogue between the Ngok and Twic communities.
- Encourage forgiveness and respectful dialogue at the family and community levels. Engage youth to discourage violent practices such as cattle raiding and retaliation.
- Counter misinformation and disinformation through verified messaging and strengthen the local peace network.
Pray together
Pray for the women in these communities to actively look for big and small opportunities to build bridges between the two groups, and encourage each other to keep working towards peace. Pray for their desire and drive for peace to spread to those around them.
