Kiir told to name female spokespersons for army, other regular forces

JUBA — A prominent South Sudanese activist has appealed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit to name a female spokesperson for the unified army and other regular forces commands in the country.

This comes after the parties to the revitalized peace agreement agreed on division of positions within the unified security command structure, with President Kiir swearing in top opposition and army commanders into their positions of the unified army command and other security bodies.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, prominent activist Edmund Yakani, the executive director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said failure by the parties to nominate women into the unified security command structures is a violation of the revitalized peace agreement.

“Following the unification of the command structure all the parties to the R-ARCSS violated enforcement of the 35% for women in unifying the command structure,” Yakani said in the statement.

“This is clear violation of the R-ARCSS provision on 35% for women enforcement,” he added.

As a compensation for this violation, Yakani said, the parties should appoint female spokespersons for the unified security sector commands urging Kiir to take his appeal seriously.

“Based on this evident and as a compensation ground for participation of women in the defense and security sector under the unification of the command structure, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization in an honorable manner is taking this opportunity for urging H.E. President and Presidency to appoint female uniform officer as the official spokesperson of the Unified Command structures,” he said.

“This is will count as sound compensation by the leadership for women participation in the defense and security sector,” he added, pointing out that “it will be remarkable act if the leadership of the unified command structures and honorable Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs can also champion the appointment of female officer as the official spokesperson of them.”

Yakani also “strongly urge H.E. Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster plus the all-female honorable ministers in the cabinet to advocate and lobby for the appointment of woman as official spokesperson of the unified command structure.

“Having no woman in the unified command structure is total undermining the role played by women in the struggle for better society of South Sudan

“We urge Right Honorable Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative assembly and Right Honorable First Deputy Speaker in the Council of States to also take the opportunity of lobbying the leadership for appointment of a woman as spokesperson for the unified command structures.

“There are many capable women in uniform who can take that responsibility with merits and preform it unto expectations.“

Yakani further said that “CEPO is making call as obligate for the parties to embrace women participation in the defense and security sector transformation and reform.

“Unification of the command structure should not only be linked to men dominance.

“It is essential for the unified command structures to embrace 35% for women since the unified command structures as responsibility to implement the action plan adopted for the implementation of the signed joint communique on the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence between the government and \United Nation Secretary General Special Representative on the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence.

“Finally, CEPO is urging all women leaders in various positions ranging from Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, Rights Honorable Speaker for Parliament, Rights Honorable First Speaker for the Council of States and all National Honorable Ministers in the next cabinet meeting to make the call for the appointment of a woman as spokesperson for the unified command structures.”