South Sudan's Churches Fight Online Hate With a 'Digital Pledge for Peace'
With elections weeks away and civil war threatening to return, Christians are repenting of inflammatory posts and promising to use their phones to build peace. "A single post… can directly cause loss of innocent lives"
The short answer
According to Christian Today (7 November 2026), churches in South Sudan are joining a "Digital Pledge for Peace," first signed by women from the Abyei and Twic communities, in which Christians and church leaders repent of past online activity and commit to countering fake news, hate speech and online incitement. The Church Mission Society (CMS) supports the work as the country, at risk of renewed civil war, approaches its first national elections since independence.
In 1994, radio helped turn Rwanda's neighbours against each other. In South Sudan, Christians fear phones could do the same — and they are doing something about it.
A Country on the Edge
South Sudan's civil war between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his vice-president Riek Machar officially ended in 2018, but fighting never fully stopped. Last year larger-scale fighting broke out again and Machar was arrested. The country's first national elections since independence are due in about seven weeks, Christian Today reports — though with the main opposition leader in jail, it is unclear whether results will be accepted, or whether the vote will happen at all.
"As South Sudan approaches elections amid fears of renewed civil war, churches are joining a "Digital Pledge for Peace," repenting of inflammatory posts and committing to counter fake news and hate speech online."
Click to copy and shareThe Digital Pledge for Peace
The "Digital Pledge for Peace" was first signed by women from the Abyei and Twic communities. Now other groups and churches are joining. Christians and church leaders repent of past online activity and pledge to set a better example: countering fake news, hate speech and online incitement, and using words to build each other up.
"A single post, share, or voice note can directly cause loss of innocent lives, displacement of families, and community destruction." — Paul Lueth, Church Mission Society
"As disciples, our online behaviour must reflect our faith," Lueth said. "Jesus called us to be peacemakers in Matthew 5:9, and biblical stewardship requires self-control over our keyboards just as much as our tongues."
Poor connections and infrastructure in rural areas make follow-up hard, CMS says, but Christians are running events to spread the pledge.
A Word for the Whole Church
"South Sudan's peacemakers are bringing a stark reminder to the global Church: digital interactions are never neutral," said Joan Busolo, CMS regional manager for Africa. "Words shared online carry real-world weight, making digital responsibility an essential duty for Christians everywhere."
That's true far beyond South Sudan. Before you share the next post — about politics, about another church, about anyone — it's worth asking whether it builds up or tears down.
Pray
Pray for peace and fair elections in South Sudan, for the churches leading this pledge, and for Christians everywhere to be peacemakers online as well as off. More prayer points are on our prayer list.
As South Sudan approaches elections amid fears of renewed civil war, churches are joining a "Digital Pledge for Peace," repenting of inflammatory posts and committing to counter fake news and hate speech online.
Biblical Perspective
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up" (Ephesians 4:29).
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
— Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Prince of Peace, protect South Sudan from war. Give its leaders wisdom, keep the coming elections peaceful and fair, and strengthen the churches leading the Digital Pledge for Peace. Teach us all to use our words — online and off — to build up and not to destroy. Amen.
More to pray for: the prayer listDeclarations to Speak
- ›Blessed are the peacemakers!
- ›Our words will build up, not tear down!
- ›Peace will come to South Sudan!
Take Action
- 1Pray for peaceful, fair elections in South Sudan.
- 2Before you post or share this week, ask: does this build up?
- 3Pray for CMS and South Sudanese church leaders promoting the pledge.
"With war threatening to return, South Sudan's churches have a 'Digital Pledge for Peace': repenting of hateful posts and using phones to build peace."
Pray & Speak Life Over This Story
Don't just read — respond in faith. Click below to declare that you have prayed over this story and spoken life into it. Our prayers and words have power to change the world.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21
Your Prayers & Words Have Power
Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
What is the Digital Pledge for Peace in South Sudan?
+
A commitment, first signed by women from the Abyei and Twic communities and now joined by churches, in which Christians repent of past online activity and pledge to counter fake news, hate speech and online incitement. The Church Mission Society supports the work.
Sources & further reading
- 1.South Sudanese churches work for peace as tensions mountChristian Today
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
Get encouraging Kingdom news, testimonies, and prayer points weekly.
Related Stories
How to Pray for the Persecuted Church: A Practical Guide
Most of us want to pray for persecuted believers and do not know how, so we pray vaguely and stop. This is a practical method — with the numbers, the countries, and the specific requests the persecuted church actually makes.
More Than 60 Christians Killed in Two Attacks in Ethiopia's Oromia Region
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church says at least 60 people were killed in attacks on Christians in Oromia: 14 in Merti district on 20 October and 46 in Shirka district on 24 October. Twenty homes were burned.
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 2026: What It Is and How to Take Part
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) falls on the first Sunday of November — it was held on Sunday 1 November in 2026, and next falls on Sunday 7 November 2027. Here's what it is, who leads it, and a ready-to-use plan for praying with your church.