As their weeklong Plenary concludes, the Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan express being overwhelmed by the escalating violence and the appalling human conditions resulting from ongoing conflicts in both countries.
Paul Samasumo – Vatican City
The Bishops’ Pastoral Statement, made available to Vatican News Thursday evening, paints a troubling story that is particularly dramatic in Sudan. The Pastoral Statement is perhaps one of the strongest in recent history. After years of appealing to Sudan and South Sudanese politicians, the Bishops, clearly at the end of their tether, are scathing in their analysis.
Escalating violence
The crisis in Sudan continues to deteriorate rapidly. Although the war and humanitarian situation in Sudan have persisted for years, recent media reports have highlighted widespread atrocities, mass killings, and sexual violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, North Darfur.
The situation in South Sudan is no better. According to Amani Africa, “The political and security situation in South Sudan has sharply deteriorated following the detention of senior officials, mainly First Vice President Riek Machar; the emergence of splinter factions; the deployment of Ugandan troops; and intensified military operations by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) against SPLM/A-IO and allied groups.”
There is danger that South Sudan’s political transition could fall apart risking a return to war.
Maliciously selfish
“We, the Catholic Bishops of Sudan and South Sudan, gathered in Malakal from 7 to 14 November 2025 … Having prayed, reflected, and shared on the pastoral situation of our two countries, we find ourselves deeply disturbed by the ongoing devastating conflicts and the dishonoured peace agreements in both nations, especially with the worsening situation in 2025. It is alarming that dialogue is no longer seen as a vehicle for harmony, healing, reconciliation, and unity,” the prelates write.
The Bishops call out politicians in Sudan and South Sudan for their astonishing lack of respect for human dignity.
“The ongoing power struggles within our governments and opposition groups in Sudan and South Sudan lack respect for human dignity; they are harmful to the core and maliciously selfish. Meanwhile, our land is rich in resources, which are misappropriated by individuals for their luxury, creating cliques of supporters while the common people suffer in abject poverty,” the Statement reads.
The Bishops are also deeply concerned about what they describe as “unprecedented ethnic, tribal, and inter-tribal divisions in the name of politics.”
We share your pain
In the end, the Bishops, though concerned by unfolding events in Sudan and South Sudan, say they remain hopeful that through sincere dialogue, solutions can be found. They reaffirm their “solidarity with the people of Sudan and South Sudan … We share your pain and suffering, and we are determined to continue advocating for dialogue, reconciliation, healing, unity, and peace both with political leaders and grassroots communities.”
UN: Stop external weapons
Coincidentally, on the same day—Thursday—UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored the seriousness of the situation in the two countries by a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“I am gravely concerned by recent reports of mass atrocities and gross human rights violations in El Fasher and the worsening violence in Kordofan and other parts of Sudan. The flow of weapons and fighters from external parties must be cut off. Humanitarian aid must quickly reach civilians in need. The hostilities must stop. I call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to take swift, tangible steps toward a negotiated settlement.”
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