South Sudan’s peace rebuilding may be taking circuitous turns, mostly because it is not inclusive, with women hardly playing important roles in the establishment.
The country’s 2018 peace monitoring body, the Revitalised Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC,) observed on Wednesday that the country’s slow, or near-stalled transition has partly been because only a few people in the community play a role.
The monitoring body raised serious concerns over the failure of the transitional government of national unity (TGNoU) to meet the 35 percent minimum representation quota for women, as stipulated in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The R-ARCSS was the 2018 peace deal mediated by the regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), which provided for the formation of TGNoU, some kind of coalition arrangement between the government of President Salva Kiir and various armed factions.
That R-ARCSS provided for various pillars under which South Sudan is to achieve long-term peace. But it has missed own deadlines three times before.
Addressing the 8th Governors’ Forum in Juba on Tuesday, Maj-Gen Charles Tai Gituai, the Interim Chair of RJMEC, acknowledged progress in implementing the peace deal but highlighted persistent challenges, particularly regarding gender representation.
“The report noted that no woman currently holds a position as governor or chief administrator, highlighting a failure to meet the 35 percent minimum representation threshold for women in government. We call on all parties to adhere to this quota as part of their commitment to inclusive governance," said Maj-Gen Gituai.
The issue of gender representation has been further spotlighted following First Vice President Riek Machar’s dismissal of Sarah Celito, the Governor of Western Bahr-el-Ghazal, last month.
Her removal, which has sparked tensions and public criticism of her successor, underscores ongoing concerns about the marginalisation of women in leadership roles.
Gen Gituai noted that significant legislative reforms have been achieved, with the National Constitutional Amendment Committee completing its review of 25 laws critical to electoral processes. But most of these implementing teams are also mainly made up of men.
South Sudan has achieved a relative permanent ceasefire, but sporadic intercommunal violence has been a persistent threat in some states.
Most of those displaced from these clashes have been women and children. The Commission says South Sudan should normalise holding dialogue with everyone affected by these conflicts.
South Sudan planned to hold elections in December this year but postponed the polls due to what it said was unmet targets to prepare for the polls. “Dialogue is essential for fostering peace; we commend officials for their reconciliation initiatives.
“The Parties’ decision to postpone elections underscores the urgency for a coherent strategy and action plan. In governance, institutions like the National Elections Commission (NEC) have begun their preparatory work, receiving initial funding for their activities.
“However, concerns remain regarding the registration process for political parties, with a prohibitive fee of $75,000 cited as a barrier for many. We urge all parties to expedite the completion of unification of forces to allow those with armed wings to register and participate in elections," he added.
As South Sudan inches closer to its electoral timeline, Maj-Gen Gituai recommended prioritising local government empowerment and community-led dialogue initiatives.
"It is crucial for state governments to promote open political spaces and ensure security at local levels. While there are positive strides in implementing the Revitalised Agreement, significant challenges remain that require immediate attention from both government leaders and international partners.
“The next two years will be critical in shaping South Sudan's democratic future as it prepares for elections slated for December 2026. This forum should serve as a platform for reflection on past challenges and a roadmap towards successful implementation moving forward," concluded an RJMEC representative.
