Lafaek News—In May 2024, Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan signed a declaration affirming the nation’s endorsement of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) through a meeting with the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a non-governmental organization under the UN. Additionally, a total of 11 high-ranking officials from South Sudan including the Vice President and the Speaker of the Parliament have signed their support for the DPCW.

Awut Deng Achuil, South Sudan’s Minister of Education, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to implement HWPL peace education as a regular part of the curriculum in South Sudanese schools and the Minister and Vice Minister of Youth and Sports of South Sudan also promised active cooperation with HWPL through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The representatives from the Islamic Council, the Presbyterian Church, and the Archbishop of the Anglican Church also met with the HWPL delegation. They acknowledged that peace and harmony are values shared by their respective scriptures and agreed to participate in The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Offices. They also pledged to host a HWPL Religious Peace Camp to foster a network of religious leaders dedicated to peace.

This meeting was covered by the state media, South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), highlighting President Kiir’s strong endorsement of the DPCW nationwide. This demonstrates South Sudan’s active participation in international efforts for world peace and the cessation of war.

The signing of the MOA with the Ministry of Education and the MOU with the Ministry of Youth and Sports marks the starting point for strengthening peace education not only in the field of education but also in youth sports and culture.

Awut Deng Achuil, South Sudan’s Minister of Education, expressed her optimism regarding the signing of the MOA, stating, “In South Sudan, sudden rainfall is seen as a sign of peace. With the beginning of peace between HWPL and South Sudan, rain falls as a blessing.

HWPL will constantly collaborate with the education department, religious leader, youth, and media to achieve substantive peace in South Sudan through the dissemination of peace culture and institutionalization of peace. In particular, they will strive to introduce HWPL Peace Education as a regular curriculum in all schools in South Sudan, and efforts will be made to train peace educators through the Peace Academy.