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Members of South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly have signed a church-facilitated Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), pledging renewed commitment to peacebuilding and national reconciliation.

The signing followed a meeting between lawmakers and representatives of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the South Korean civil society organization that developed the DPCW.

The declaration provides a framework aimed at preventing conflict, promoting peaceful dispute resolution, strengthening international cooperation, and encouraging a culture of peace.

South Sudan’s Parliament adopted Resolution No. 29/2025 endorsing the DPCW after lawmakers reviewed its legal basis and practical implications.

The adoption followed consultations with relevant institutions, including the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs, which examined the document before it was presented to Parliament.

The process followed earlier engagements with the judiciary and the endorsement of the DPCW by President Salva Kiir Mayardit in 2024, marking support for the initiative across the executive, judiciary, and legislature.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Peace and Reconciliation, Hon. Bona Deng Lawrence, said the declaration provides a foundation for building sustainable peace in South Sudan.

“Our country has never tasted the sweetness of peace. We have experienced enough war, and it has destroyed generations of our people. It is now time to try peace,” Lawrence said.

He said the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW focus on human rights and universal values needed to support peacebuilding efforts.

Former Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, said government efforts alone are not enough to implement peace agreements and that the DPCW can serve as an additional tool in supporting peace initiatives.

“Government resources by themselves are not enough to implement peace agreements. The DPCW is now an important tool for us. It complements the government’s efforts and provides a practical framework for resettling the many displaced people who must return home,” Kumba said.

The DPCW was proclaimed by HWPL in 2016 and consists of 10 articles and 38 clauses outlining principles for conflict prevention, peaceful dispute resolution, and cooperation among institutions and communities.