For more than a decade, Africa World Books has used books, public lectures and literary events to preserve South Sudan’s history and bring communities together across political and social divides, with its founder Peter Lualplus Deng calling for greater efforts to document the country’s stories before the memories of an older generation are lost.
Since its establishment just over a decade ago, Africa World Books has used book launches, public lectures and other literary events to bring South Sudanese together across political and community divides.
For example, when Dr Douglas Johnson and the late Prof Wendy James visited Australia, we arranged one launch in Blacktown, New South Wales; two in Melbourne, Victoria; and one in South Australia. All the launches were well attended by South Sudanese friends and members of the wider community. We also arranged for Dr John Gai Yoh to deliver public lectures at the University of Western Australia, Monash University near Footscray in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, and at the Hall de Akoon in Western Victoria. Each lecture attracted enthusiastic audiences.
My message to South Sudanese is that we must document our rare and rich stories. Those who fought for liberation are ageing, and their invaluable memories risk being lost. Preserving these experiences is essential for current and future generations. This is also important for service providers across the world who assist South Sudanese families in settling abroad. A proper understanding of our culture, history and experiences enables them to make informed decisions and provide appropriate assistance.
I chose to serve our nation in this way, and I remain deeply grateful to all the authors, friends and family members for their immense support. Without their encouragement and assistance, this work would not have been possible. I promise to continue the mission and vision of recording, preserving and disseminating this crucial information.
I also want the government of South Sudan to appreciate the importance of this work, since I am doing this to fill the country’s libraries with books authored by South Sudanese, preserving the stories of our people and our liberation struggle for future generations.
I raise this because many countries have infringements on freedom of the press and freedom of expression. When writers, researchers and communities enjoy these fundamental liberties, we can have rich and accurate stories.
On WhatsApp, I shared a book cover by an author named Dr Philip Tor Manyon, along with some comments claiming that the books we publish are the reason there is fighting in South Sudan. This is emphatically not true. I explained that we are willing to publish all books, and that books provide a better means to express pain and grievances and to facilitate healing than revenge killings or power struggles.
Again, in Kigali, Rwanda, at Dove Hotel, on 30 July 2025, Africa World Books organised a vibrant, well-attended launch of The Power of Creative Reasoning: Ideas and Vision of John Garang by Dr Lual A. Deng. This event also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death of the late Dr John Garang de Mabior.
Gen. Lual Akeen Akech was in attendance. He warmly greeted the guests, and we took photographs before he left. After the event, he spent time engaging with those present, regardless of their age or status. I was fortunate to shake his hand, although I did not know who he was at the time. Shortly afterwards, a friend from Juba, South Sudan, saw him in our group photos and told me that the handsome gentleman was known as ‘Owl’; many South Sudanese know what that term means. Though we had not met him before, I had also heard him being referred to by that name. I told my friend that I am a lion too.
In 2026, we met again at the university during a graduation sign-out event. I asked Gen. Lual Akeen Akech what had brought him to Kigali. He indicated that he was attending his daughter’s graduation. I was impressed when I asked his daughter what she wanted to become. She said that she wanted to be a businesswoman, and I urged Gen. Lual to provide her with the resources to establish a business, because private enterprise is the backbone of every nation.
Despite receiving the invitation to our event at short notice, Gen. Lual Akeen Akech graciously accepted. He supported the youth and participated in all the activities organised by various communities.
We spoke briefly, and he invited me to his home for an upcoming lunch. However, Africa World Books’ guest authors, including Prof. Peter Tingwa, Dr Kuch Kuol, and Hon Dr Rev Gabriel Gai, were still in Kigali, so I was unable to attend. Many students and I were inspired by the young, grey-bearded Lual Akeen Akech’s humility, energy, generosity and friendly demeanour, as well as his appreciation of our efforts to document history and engage young people in Kigali.
I have since learnt of his promotion to Brigadier General Lual Akeen Akech, Section Head, Oil Field Security. I want to congratulate my namesake, the industrious and courageous leader Lual Akeen Ake, and wish him and his family continued blessings and prosperity. He is a great man of the people, and I wish him all the best and God’s protection.
May God continue to bless our authors, families, friends, editors and the world at large. May we have lasting peace in South Sudan.
Kind regards,
Peter Lualplus Deng, CEO of Africa World Books
Peter Lualplus Deng, CEO of Africa World Books
