Juba, South Sudan, Jul 12, 2016 / 13:49 pm
Heavy fighting in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan, prompted Church leaders in the country to issue a statement this week condemning the violence and asking for prayers.
"We condemn all acts of violence without exception. The time for carrying and using weapons has ended; now is the time to build a peaceful nation," the South Sudan Council of Churches said in a July 10 statement.
Since Thursday, heavy fighting has been reported between the forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army, loyal to President Salva Kiir, and the SPLA in Opposition, loyal to First Vice President, Riek Machar.
"We make no judgement as to how or why they occurred, nor who is to blame, but we note with concern that there have been a number of incidents recently, and that tension is increasing," the Church leaders wrote.