Churches continue to play their role in peace building for South Sudan despite the dashed hopes of many in the world's newest nation, the moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) said at a regional meeting.

The moderator of the WCC's Central Committee Dr Agnes Abuom was speaking at the inaugural assemblies of the Ecumenical Network Sudan and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in Nairobi, Kenya on 2 and 3 October.

The WCC moderator, a Kenyan Anglican, thanked God for the work of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) in the fields of evangelism, education, health and advocacy for justice and peace over many years.

"During various ecumenical visits, the churches have been encouraged to find internal solutions to strengthen the council's management and leadership," said Abuom.

She said the churches in Sudan and South Sudan have provided leadership in dealing with the peace process in a South Sudan driven in recent years by internal conflict.