There are fears that South Sudan may return to all-out civil war as fighting escalates in Jonglei state, near the capital city of Juba. Government troops loyal to President Salva Kiir are fighting troops loyal to First Vice-President Riek Machar, who has been suspended and is standing trial for treason and other grave crimes, which he denies. His party claims that the charges against him are political and that they undermine the 2018 peace agreement that brought an end to a five-year civil war. The conflict had resulted in the deaths of some 400,000 people and had left millions of people displaced from their homes. The ongoing conflict has already left some 280,000 people displaced, and medical clinics have been looted. The conflict between Kiir and Machar is driven by political and ethnic differences between the Dinka and Nuer peoples. Some of the key provisions of the peace agreement, such as the creation of a unified army and the holding of elections, have yet to be implemented.

Pray for the end of political tensions and unrest in South Sudan. Pray for justice and peace to prevail in the nation. Pray for the hearts of the leaders to be transformed to serve the people with humility and integrity (The Holy Bible, Proverbs 21:15).

Sovereign LORD, we pray for Your divine intervention in South Sudan to end the violence and to bring peace and stability. We cover all the South Sudanese people under the Precious Blood of our LORD Jesus Christ (The Holy Bible, Psalm 57:1).

News Source: BBC

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