Women leaders in South Sudan have called for a more inclusive, transparent, and community-focused approach to the Tumaini Peace Initiative. In a communiqué shared after a roundtable discussion, they urged mediators to actively engage with conflict-affected communities and stakeholders in South Sudan to gather their perspectives and experiences, aiming to create a more comprehensive peace process.
The discussion, which involved representatives from 16 organizations, outlined several priority areas and recommendations for improving the lives of South Sudanese women and girls. Among these was a strong call for the government to expedite the adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) 2020-2025 and allocate sufficient resources to the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare to ensure its implementation.
The group also emphasized the need for political parties to adhere to the 35% affirmative action policy, which mandates that women hold a greater share of leadership roles. They condemned the practice of replacing women in decision-making positions with men and called for the inclusion of more women in key political and administrative roles.
One of the key points raised was the need to align the Tumaini Peace Initiative with the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ACRSS). The participants advocated for political dialogue and national consensus that includes women and civil society organizations to avoid conflicts between the two peace frameworks.
The roundtable discussion also called upon the Kenyan government to continue its engagement with all hold-out groups under the Tumaini Initiative and expedite the mediation process to foster lasting peace. The leaders further urged peace partners to provide technical assistance to South Sudan in implementing the peace agreements, NAP, and Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
The communiqué also called for increased support for civil society and women’s groups in promoting dialogue, civic education, and peacebuilding efforts, alongside urging the UN to allocate resources for programs aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, focused on women’s empowerment, protection, and prevention of gender-based violence.
The gathering, organized as part of the “We Cannot Wait” project, reflects the commitment of South Sudanese women to advancing political participation and legislative reform for a peaceful future.
