Reverend clergy and friends gathered at the Presbyterian Evangelical Church General Assembly on March 6, 2025, to discuss peace and reconciliation in South Sudan. Ambassador Adler addressed the assembly, highlighting the importance of this topic during a period marked by both Lent and Ramadan.
Ambassador Adler noted the significant role that faith and churches play in the lives of South Sudanese people, similar to their influence in the United States. Reflecting on his own life, he remarked, "at my age, if I were South Sudanese, my life would have touched on four civil wars." He expressed his deepest wish for peace in South Sudan.
The ambassador expressed concern over recent violence in Upper Nile and urged leaders from all communities to prioritize peace. He stated that every South Sudanese citizen should make peace a priority beyond personal or communal interests.
Emphasizing the sanctity of human life irrespective of one's background or identity, Ambassador Adler called for an end to violence as a political tool. He encouraged collective efforts towards peaceful resolutions.
Highlighting U.S. support for South Sudan rooted in civil society initiatives driven by private citizens through religious institutions, he praised those gathered for continuing these efforts. "I encourage you – individually and as a collective – to use your voice and your influence," he said.
Ambassador Adler concluded with wishes for continued efforts toward peace and reconciliation across all communities within South Sudan. "May South Sudan have peace," he stated.