Peace Agreement Day
On January 9, 2005, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) signed an accord known as the Naivasha Agreement or the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). This agreement was designed to not only end the Second Sudanese Civil War but also to share oil revenues and develop democratic governance countrywide.
South Sudan (Public holiday)Peace Agreement Day is an unofficial holiday that commemorates this event. On this day, most businesses are closed in the capital of Juba. It’s a holiday where people can take the day off and spend time with friends and family members.
The History of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
The First Sudanese Civil War took place between 1955 and 1972, and the Second Sudanese Civil War, which started in 1983 and ended in 2005, is very much a continuation of that conflict. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended the war, and South Sudan would achieve temporary autonomy from Sudan for about 6 years—as stated in the agreement.
Between January 9th and 15th in 2011, a referendum was held to determine if South Sudan should remain independent from Sudan or rejoin it. Almost everyone in South Sudan voted for independence, and South Sudan became independent on July 9, 2011.
Facts About South Sudan
We’ve rounded up some interesting facts about South Sudan that we think everyone will appreciate. Let’s take a look at them below.
- South Sudan covers an area of 248,777 square miles.
- South Sudan has a population of approximately 10,204,581 people as of 2018.
- The life expectancy in South Sudan is 57 years.
- A 2009 estimate found that only about 27% of South Sudanese are literate.
Observing Peace Agreement Day in South Sudan
People often observe this holiday by spending time with friends and family members. They eat a nice meal with their loved ones, such as Gurassa, Kajaik, or Mandazi. People also attend special events dedicated to the day and listen to political speeches.
South Sudan (Public holiday)
