Sir. Abunerry

"A truthful witness saves life, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful" (Proverbs 14:25) By Pastor Abunerry Ayella. 3-2-2026 Torit When I wrote an article called "Juba, Be Careful of Rev. Dr Natasha's Church", I wanted to warn my fellow citizens about how Lucy Natasha uses her church to exploit and manipulate people. It breaks my heart that Jubans still do not listen to people who warn them about false prophets who dress like sheep and carry microphones, perfumes, and mobile money accounts. By many accounts, Lucy Natasha’s past in Kenya was riddled with controversy, financial debts, and accusations of religious deception. Kenyans described her as a spiritual entrepreneur who converted desperation into capital and prayer into profit. The Kenyan Gen Z joked that her spiritual ambition exceeded her financial capacity, an irony for a prophetess of prosperity. Her ministry has been associated with glamour, luxury, and celebrity pastor culture. Whether one calls ...

By Pastor Abunerry, Ayella. 2-2-2026 Torit When a cleric wears a collar, they may feel divinely immeasurable. They usurp authority as if they are next to Jesus in line. As a result, they tend to overlook their colleagues who do not wear collars. Yet the very colleagues they overlook often outperform them in many areas. Although some of these clerics adorn themselves with cassocks and collars, or gowns, they do not know what transpired or when the collar was invented. This article briefly recounts the origin of the collar and its purpose, which is not biblical but rather a distinctive attire meant to distinguish clerics from laypeople. In 1867, Rev. McLeod, a Presbyterian minister in Scotland, invented the first clerical collar. He combined a detachable collar with a white band of cloth to create the distinctive collar worn by clerics today. Before that, Reformed pastors wore a scarf called a cravat , which was the precursor to the modern collar. The purpose of the collar was simply t...

By Pastor Abunerry Ayella. 1-2-2026 Torit Between 2015 and 2017, I wrote to and advised one of my OBs and close friends to stop praising and following Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, warning that he was not a genuine prophet. My friend dismissed my concerns, called me names, and unfriended me. Years later, Bushiri’s story unfolded publicly: he was wanted in South Africa to answer allegations of money laundering and sexual misconduct, and he fled back to Malawi, where he continues to exploit unsuspecting followers. Sadly, many South Sudanese have not learned from such incidents, even when the realities are well known. Today, Rev. Dr Lucy Natasha launched her ministry in Juba, with the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State as the guest speaker. One must ask: Does the Deputy Governor know about the controversies surrounding her ministry in Kenya? Not long ago, Rev. Natasha reportedly closed her sanctuary in Kenya due to financial challenges and announced that services would be conducted ...

By Pastor Abunerry Ayella. 28-1-2026 South Sudan Recently, social media has been awash with debate following a statement attributed to a Nigerian pastor: “I will not follow a poor pastor.” In response, Dr Abel Damina publicly challenged this claim in a five-minute online video, rightly questioning both its theology and its pastoral integrity. I followed his attempt to correct the statement with keen interest. Unfortunately, this controversy exposes a deeper problem within contemporary Christianity, namely, the distortion of spiritual leadership and the identity of the so-called “man of God”. This article offers a biblical and theological rebuttal to the idea that poverty disqualifies a pastor from spiritual leadership. A sound theologian is not overly concerned with material accumulation, nor does God measure spiritual authority by wealth. Scripture does not encourage pastors or believers to prioritise material gain. Jesus Himself did not anchor leadership on financial capacity. H...

Courtesy. Divorce your wife to buy your oil money rights. 27-1-2026 No doubt, the current system has been appointing its loyalists through a trial-and-error approach. By the time of this writing, three-quarters of the party adherents have already tasted, or even corrupted, the oil money. But why has Sgt Agel Ring Machar remained a beggar in the Konykonyo market? A young and energetic politician who throws punches at any competitor fearlessly and fiercely, Agel deserves the oil money. I have never attended any of his leadership sittings, yet his voice is impossible to ignore. Among the first critics to oppose the system was Agel, who joined the opposition after the 2013 crisis. He later served as the outspoken press secretary of H.E. Taban Deng Gai. Soon after, Agel’s political stance shifted from opposition to the very system he once opposed. Above all, his return was fuelled by the amalgamation agreement. The main SPLM party welcomed him back as a gesture of patriotism. Nonetheles...

Use for Illustrations only 25-1-2026 Torit The Call to Serve Religious institutions have historically played a critical role in defending human dignity, advocating for justice, and mediating peace during times of political crisis. In Uganda, for example, the Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU) demonstrated this moral responsibility when, three days after the recent presidential elections, its leaders visited the raided home of opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine). Their public act of solidarity, offering encouragement and prayer to the affected family, affirmed the Church’s pastoral and prophetic mandate, even as political persecution persisted. The Sudan Council of Churches, established around 1964, was founded on core principles that included advocacy for good governance, equitable representation, and peace and reconciliation. For decades, the Council upheld these values and played a visible role in national struggles, including the liberation movement that culminate...

Resist Lobong's recruitments. Torit, 20-1-2026 South Sudan has finally reached a point of no return after the government fundamentally misinterpreted the meaning of peaceful dialogue. It dismissed the Tumaini Initiative and openly abrogated the R-ARCSS . These actions reveal a clear lack of will and commitment to saving the country from collapse. Worse still, the government continues to undemocratise state institutions, filling them despotically and nepotistically. Such a system does not conform to international standards or modern principles of governance. The persistent and inconsistent display of evil cannot go unchallenged; hence, the need to resist. While President Salva Kiir ’s government clings to power, it continues to mobilise and recruit teenagers and youth, claiming they are fighting defensively to protect the state from collapse. The painful reality is that many of his unpaid loyalists can no longer withstand the growing strength of opposing forces. The recruitme...

The Killing of Rev. Maring and Eng. Conty: A Dark State Under Rule Torit,  19-1-2026 On 16 January, Juba witnessed the killing of an Africa Inland Church clergy, Reverend Maring. Today, 19 January, Juba again has witnessed the killing of Eng. Conty. These two citizens were killed just three days apart. Both fatalities occurred in broad daylight. Apart from these two recent incidents, hundreds are dying without public notice. All this is happening in a country that everyone expected to be free for all. Whatever the investigations may conclude regarding these two incidents, there are no political motivations behind either of them. What we must understand is the reality of a failed system, one that cannot offer protection to its citizens. Instead, it is a system that continuously and seemingly innocently turns the barrels of guns against the very people it is meant to protect. Several examples show that the government in question is too adamant to provide basic services. The secur...

Dear Commissioner, “When you cross a stream, and suddenly the frogs go silent after you, you are either being followed by danger or expecting danger ahead.” This is an African proverb often used as a warning. You are finally in a hotter seat that will test your leadership strength. Anyway, you are welcome. Hon. Lam, the people expected a change in leadership, and no one knew you would be the one. However, the celebrations that broke out across towns and villages in the county signify a great welcome and approval of you. But is there really a need to celebrate a change in leadership? The adage in the first line is a call to always remember. Few will understand that the seat you have inherited is too hot to be overly optimistic. There are several boiling points to settle, if not in the short run, then in the near future, for you to progress well. Dear Commissioner, you have come at a time when the security of the country is at stake. Opposition forces have engaged all networks and ...

A Rebuttal to Brother Francis Irra ’s Facebook Post 13-1-2026 Early this morning, I came across a post on my Brother Francis Irra’s timeline, which read: “Why are the commissioners of Magwi County always appointed from the Acholi people ? Does the county now belong to one tribe?” Brother Irra has raised a genuine concern that deserves a sober and honest response. Unfortunately, most of the comments under his post were emotionally driven, shallow, and unhelpful. If such sentiments are left unchecked, they risk igniting unnecessary tension between the two beautiful communities of Magwi County, the Acholi and the Madi . This response is therefore offered as a clarification and as a call for restraint, unity, and responsible dialogue. Whatever grievances exist must never be expressed in a manner that divides our people. After careful consideration, I find that the appointment of Acholi commissioners in Magwi County does not qualify as tribalism. Several key factors support this posi...

2-1-2026 By Abunerry, Ayella This morning, the SPLA-IO spokesperson announced two major military developments: the capture of the SSPDF Yuai base in Jonglei State and the Nadapal border post in Eastern Equatoria State. The fall of Yuai followed earlier losses in Nyirol and its surrounding areas, while the capture of Nadapal came after consecutive confrontations in Torit West. My primary concern here is Nadapal. Nadapal is one of the richest and most strategic border posts in South Sudan. It serves as a vital gateway linking Kenya to Juba through Torit. Apart from Nimule, Nadapal generates substantial revenue that supports the national budget. Its capture, therefore, represents not only a military setback but also a significant economic blow to the government. From my perspective, the continued fighting is largely a result of the government’s failure to fully implement the peace agreement and its decision to overhaul SPLM-IO leadership unilaterally. These actions have deepened m...