Over 99 percent of voters in Southern Sudan have voted to secede from the North. While I am thrilled at this change, one element of surprise was a statement made by Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir, who is expected to lead the independent South.

Specifically, Kiir has urged the Southern Sudanese to forgive the North for the years of violence during the civil war. According to ChristianPost.com, some 1.9 million people died during the war between the North and South and more than 500 churches were destroyed in the South.

“For our deceased brothers and sisters, particularly those who have fallen during the time of struggle, may God bless them with eternal peace,” said Kiir at Catholic Cathedral in Juba on Jan. 16.

When a leader calls for a nation to forgive those responsible for the deaths of so many, we cannot help but be overwhelmed at the notion. Our human tendency is for revenge. Yet Kiir knows revenge is not the answer. Forgiveness is.

As Jesus once said, may we “Go and do likewise.”

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DILLON BURROUGHS is an author, activist, and co-founder of Activist Faith. Dillon served in Haiti following the epic 2010 earthquake and has investigated modern slavery in the US and internationally. His books include Undefending Christianity, Not in My Town (with Charles J. Powell), and Thirst No More (October). Discover more at ActivistFaith.org.