Christians from rival communities in South Sudan have pledged to tackle online hate speech and misinformation amid concerns that inflammatory social media posts are contributing to violence.
Church leaders and young people have joined the Digital Pledge for Peace, an initiative supported by Church Mission Society (CMS) which encourages Christians to take greater responsibility for what they share online.
The pledge was first signed in July 2025 by women from the Abyei and Twic communities, which have experienced years of violent conflict over land. More church groups have since joined, recognising the dangers of spreading unverified information, particularly through WhatsApp.
Local peacemaker Paul Lueth warned that online messages can have devastating consequences. “A single post, share, or voice note can directly cause loss of innocent lives, displacement of families, and community destruction,” he said.
He added that Christians should ensure their online behaviour reflects their faith. Churches have since organised peace rallies, prayer breakfasts and community discussions to encourage young people to challenge misinformation rather than spread it..
CMS said some young leaders have already confronted hateful messages within their own social media groups.
Joan Busolo, CMS' regional manager for Africa said the initiative carried a message for Christians worldwide. “Words shared online carry real-world weight, making digital responsibility an essential duty for Christians everywhere," he said.
