Date: December, 24,2024

Re: SSUF/A/ O0C/C.I.C/32-A-1

Christmas Message

Fellow South Sudanese,

It is with great joy and heartfelt goodwill that I extend my warmest wishes to you during this Christmas season.

Christmas is a season of immense significance, as Christians around the world come together to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His birth marks the beginning of God’s divine plan for the salvation of humanity—a plan rooted in love, grace, and redemption.

This holy season is an opportunity to deepen our faith, renew our hope, and reflect on the timeless message brought to us by Christ. His life and teachings embody love, tolerance, peace, and forgiveness, offering a beacon of light in a world that often faces challenges and uncertainty.

As we celebrate the joyous birth of Jesus, we also take this time to reflect on the collective journey of our beloved nation, South Sudan. For decades, we struggled against oppression and tyranny in pursuit of freedom, independence, and justice. Today, as we continue to strive for the aspirations that guided us through those years of sacrifice, we must wage a new war—a war of peace.

Through the Tumaini, we have begun this noble endeavor to secure lasting peace and stability for our people. While our hope was to present the gift of peace to the nation this Christmas, unforeseen challenges have delayed this achievement. Nevertheless, we assure you that the year 2025 will mark a new chapter of unity, hope, and progress.

Fellow citizen, together, we will emerge victorious in this mission to restore the vision and promise that inspired our liberation struggle.

As we rejoice in the festivities, let us not lose sight of the true spirit of Christmas—peace, love, and goodwill to all. This is a time to demonstrate Christian virtues such as forgiveness, reconciliation, and compassion. Let us extend our hands to those in need, sharing God’s blessings by spreading love, warmth, and joy to the less fortunate among us.

May this Christmas season bring happiness, harmony, and hope to you and your families. Let us unite in celebration, cherishing the values that bind us together as one people under God.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Gen. Paul Malong Awan

Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SSUF/A