By Bosco Bush
Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) has expressed concern over ongoing violations of 35% women representation as per 2018 peace agreement.
Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of CPA, highlighted that certain parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) are not adhering to the requirement for women’s representation at all levels of the government.
The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) mandates parties to the agreement to confirm to the constitutional right of 35% women representation through all levels of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU).
However, continued executive reshuffling of some top female constitutional post-holders replaced by male counterparts poses “serious violations” of women’s affirmative action in the peace agreement.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Beautrice Khamisa was sacked and replaced by Mayiik Ayii Deng, a male who once served as Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Also, former Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Angelina Teny was removed and her Ministry swapped with the Ministry of Interior in gross violation of the revitalized peace accord, according to CPA.
Early this month, President Kiir fired Central Equatoria State deputy governor, Sarah Nene Redento and appointed Paulino Lukudu Obede as her replacement. Nene was then appointed as a member of parliament to the Council of States.
Recently, the governor of Central Equatoria State axed Flora Gabriel Modi from her position as the Mayor of Juba City Council and was also replaced by, Johnson Swaka a male candidate.
Mr. Manyang in a statement lamented that some parties have seriously violated the 35% allocation in the peace agreement.
He urges the parties to the agreement to uphold the principles of the “critical mass.”
“As the Center for Peace and Advocacy, I urge all the parties to the peace agreement to uphold the principles of the critical mass, which means in detail of 35% allocation for women in the country.”
Manyang also urges women to take the managerial role seriously when given the opportunity in such positions.
“They should take it as serious and inclusive gender representation in the peace agreement,” he said.