Christmas prayers at St. Theresa Cathedral in Kator, Juba. December 25, 2024. (Photo: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio).

Some faithful in Juba have expressed optimism for peace in the new year 2025 while urging the government to improve security and bring sustainable peace to the country.

Families across the country have marked the event through dire economic and humanitarian challenges as well as a rapidly spreading cholera outbreak.

Public sector civil servants and organized forces have not received some accumulated salary arrears of more than 10 months and UN agencies warned that more than half the country will go hungry in 2025.

Those who spoke to Eye Radio after the morning mass at St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba say peace is critical for South Sudan’s prosperity.

“We hope this coming year, 2025, things may change, things may come to the level of the ground at least each one is to fill that he is not alone likely enough we have that hope,” said Rev. Fedrick Lupai of Congregation of St. Martin.

Joakino Okun Nyrath, resident of Gudele said: “This year, we are sending a message that peace should prevail in South Sudan.”

“We are appealing to our government of South Sudan to bring comprehensive peace to our country so that we can have security and stability in our beloved country.”

Meanwhile, the National Minister of Environment and Forestry Josephine Napwon said her wish is that this year’s Christmas will bring blessings, unity and peace to the country.

“I hope that this Christmas of this year brings blessings, bring unity and peace to the Republic of South Sudan. May it be also a Christmas that will unite the families with broken hearts.”

“It has to be Christmas that will bring our loved ones who are not with us in the country back so that we come and build this country together.”

For his part, the US Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler said he is optimistic that 2025 will be the year of peace in South Sudan.

“I would like to wish everybody happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy New Year. May 2025 be a year of peace and wellbeing for all the South Sudanese people.”

President Salva Kiir and other senior government officials also joined religious leaders and the faithful for Christmas prayers at St. Theresa Cathedral in Kator, Juba, on Wednesday, 25th December 2024.