By Dogga Morris
An Active Non-Violence booklet aimed at reshaping the perception of violence as a means of resolving grievances in South Sudan has been launched.
The launch was organized by the South Sudan Council of Churches with support from the Peace Movement Netherlands Foundation (PAX), under their project “Strengthening Civil Courage/Power of Voices.”
The event took place on January 27, 2025 in Juba, brought together community leaders, activists, and representatives from various civil society organizations.
The publication is designed to provide tools and strategies for promoting non-violent methods of addressing conflict, as South Sudan has faced years of instability and violence.
It emphasizes biblical teachings on nonviolence and serves as an introduction to nonviolent principles in South Sudan.
A key feature of the publication is its focus on South Sudanese realities. Unlike many resources borrowed from international contexts, the booklet was developed specifically for the South Sudanese context, incorporating local experiences and addressing challenges faced by the country.
Each chapter poses critical questions encouraging citizens to explore practical pathways for achieving non-violence in their communities.
During the launch, Emmanuel Ira Country Director for PAX stated the publication is the first of its kind in South Sudan, stressing the importance of non-violence as a means of empowerment for communities.
Ira recalled the publication stemmed from previous meetings of church leaders, which resulted in a statement of intent to promote non-violence to end the conflict.
He pointed out that the booklet is intended not just as an informative resource but also as a rallying call for citizens to engage in constructive dialogue and peaceful advocacy.
Following South Sudan’s rough journey since gaining independence in 2011, which included a civil war in 2013 and 2016, Ira said it is vital to adopt non-violence as a strategy to resolve conflict.
“So today marks the beginning of the Journey of having a tool that will be used country-wide so that we see peace achieved in the country. We are all aware of the context of the country for many years,” he said.
“Before the Independence, there was violence, so all communities seem to have been affected by this violence. So we want to break this culture most people think that South Sudanese are violent communities. So this is the beginning that these tools are going to help to break this,” he added.
He added “this perception for me, I call it perception because nobody is born violent but because it grows based on the environment. So, we want to break this perception of violence, so I think the timing is very important for the country, given many things that have been failing.”
The PAX’s Country Director further stated that the booklet serves as a powerful instrument that deepens comprehension of non-violence.
Rev. Tut Kony Nyang Kon, Secretary General of the South Sudan Council of Churches, emphasized that the message of non-violence is not just a strategy but a fundamental principle for achieving peace.
It reflects the teachings of the gospel and the life of Jesus, who exemplified the commitment to non-violence through his teachings and sacrifices, he added.
“The booklet serves as a powerful tool to deepen our understanding of non-violence. It is a challenge to us to reject violence and embrace love and forgiveness,” he said.
He called on all citizens to model non-violence in their daily lives and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“Let this launch mark a new chapter in our commitment to model non-violence. We are all here to call our people not to react and take the law into their hands,” he added.
He urged his colleagues “this booklet represents us, and we must travel across the country to advocate for non-violence. Let us embrace the message of non-violence, knowing that our efforts are meaningful.”
“We will take in our preaching, bible studies and evangelism to call our faith to embrace non-violence.”
Juliet Aker, former Undersecretary in the Ministry of Peace Building, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of women’s roles as peace advocates.
“Women have historically been carriers of peace in our societies,” she said, calling for the integration of the booklet into educational curricula at both primary and higher levels.
“This material could be included in primary school social studies and as part of the Christian Religious Education curriculum in universities,” Aker suggested.
She further urged that the booklet be presented to the Governor’s Forum to promote widespread adoption.
The booklet represented a call for renewed commitment among South Sudanese to embrace non-violence as a transformative approach to building a peaceful future nation.