President Salva Kiir Mayardit has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Museums and National Heritage to modernize national museums, establish archives, and take urgent steps to protect and recover South Sudan’s cultural heritage.
The directive was issued on Thursday, March 26, 2026, during a briefing by the Minister of Culture, Museums and National Heritage, Hon. Sarah Nyanath Elijiah Yong.
According to the Office of the President, Kiir expressed concern that many historical artifacts, cultural sites, and even burial grounds have been altered, renamed, or removed over time.
He directed the minister to identify lost or taken heritage assets and initiate efforts to recover them.
Minister Nyanath outlined her ministry’s priorities, which include:
- Establishing and modernizing national museums and archives
- Building monuments to document the country’s history and struggle for independence
- Strengthening institutional capacity to preserve national identity for future generations
She also highlighted the need to formally recognize key national dates such as May 16 and May 19, and plans to pursue the return of South Sudanese cultural artifacts currently held in Sudan, Kenya, and the United Kingdom.
President Kiir urged the ministry to collaborate with relevant institutions and international partners to ensure historical assets are properly preserved, restored, and recognized.
He emphasized that culture and heritage are national treasures that must be safeguarded for posterity.
The minister further noted that promoting South Sudanese culture can contribute to economic development while reinforcing peace and national unity.
This initiative marks a significant push by the government to document and protect South Sudan’s rich history as the country prepares for general elections in December 2026.
