A two-day national prayer conference was held in Juba over the weekend with regional pastors giving assurances that “peace has come to South Sudan,” promising no more war for the embattled country.

At the opening of the function on Saturday, the Presidential Advisor on Religious Affairs Rev. Fr. Mark Lotede Locapi blessed the event on behalf of the president and the government and confirmed that prayers could help bring peace, love and reconciliation among the people of South Sudan.

Upon closing the function the pastors involved who mainly came from other parts of Africa including Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria declared that peace has come to South Sudan and that there shall be no more wars.

“So I want each and every one of us here today to go to five people and shake their hands very well and say, ‘Congratulations, peace has come to South Sudan,’” said pastor Louis to the congregation.

One of the Christians Mama Margret Juma who prayed also believes that peace has come to the country: “I believe that peace has come. It came earlier but we spoiled it. But the devil who attempted to steal our peace has now come out and has left.”

Another pastor from Tanzania declared the same and urged the people to sing “halleluiah and say praise be to God.”

Among the dignitaries present was the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria Manessah Waya Waya who also believed that prayers which were conducted during the two day national prayer conference have indeed brought peace in South Sudan.

“I want us to give God a mighty powerful hand clap… because God has shown us his favour and has laid the foundation of permanent peace for the Republic of South Sudan,” said the senior official. 

Meanwhile, hundreds of people at the event were also converted to ‘born again Christians’ after which they were given bibles and books by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.

The pastors thanked President Salva Kiir for giving them the opportunity to conduct the national prayer conference in South Sudan. They asked the believers to pray for the president, his advisors, cabinet and parliament to work for peace in the country.

“You know if you have not experienced war you just may not know what it means. And everybody in this nation is looking up to him (the president) to resolve this issue, which means he needs God now, he needs the wisdom of God, he needs the presence of God,” remarked Pastor Louis.