South Sudan residents celebrate rain, thank Nigerian cleric

Residents of parts of South Sudan have celebrated the return of rainfall after months of prolonged dry conditions that damaged crops and raised fears over food security, with some community members attributing the development to prayers offered by Nigerian cleric, Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin.

The celebrations followed reports of an extended period without significant rainfall, during which farmers said their crops had withered and livelihoods had come under increasing pressure.

During a visit to Juba on September 5, Omoto Fufeyin was approached by residents who appealed for prayers, saying drought had affected communities across the country.

“They need rain,” the cleric said while holding the South Sudanese flag during the gathering, adding that God was able to intervene in the situation.

Videos circulating on social media before the visit showed farmers standing beside dried farmlands and warning that inadequate rainfall was threatening harvests and worsening food insecurity. Some commentators linked the situation to climate change and urged authorities to strengthen agricultural resilience through improved technology and intervention programmes.

On September 6, while ministering in Juba, the cleric again prayed publicly for rainfall after residents repeated their appeal.

By September 7, videos shared by worshippers showed dark clouds gathering over parts of Juba, while recordings from later that night captured rainfall accompanied by lightning and strong winds. Community members said the downpour continued into the following day.

Several residents interviewed in the videos described the rainfall as the first they had witnessed in months.

A local identified as Captain Ami said the country had endured “three to four months” without rain, leaving crops completely dried up.

“We don’t know what is going to happen next year because the crops are gone,” he said.

Another resident claimed Juba had experienced “three months and 14 days” without rainfall before the downpour, while others expressed gratitude to God for what they believed was an answered prayer.

Responding to the reactions, Omoto Fufeyin declined personal credit, insisting that the event should be attributed to God.

“It is not my power. It is only my Almighty God,” he said.

The rainfall sparked celebrations among worshippers, with videos showing residents singing, dancing and offering prayers of thanksgiving as rain fell across parts of the city.