South Sudan peace monitors decry shrinking women representation in decision-making  

JUBA – The Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai, expressed concern on Wednesday over the reduction in the number of women in the decision-making positions in the country.

This came after President Salva Kiir Mayardit sacked Western Bahr el Ghazal Governor Sarah Cleto on November 8, 2024, and replaced her with Emmanuel Primo Okello.

Cleto was the only female governor in the transitional government appointed on the ticked of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar Teny.

Activists and women groups criticized the move, describing it as a violation of the 35 percent affirmative action for women stipulated in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. The group argued that the removal of the only female governor was a setback for women’s participation in leadership.

According to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, women were allotted 35 percent representation at all levels of government through affirmative action. However, this percentage has been violated by most parties.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IG) led by Kiir did not name female to any of the six gubernatorial positions allotted to the ruling SPLM faction by the revitalized peace agreement.

In his address to the National Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, R-JMEC Interim Chair Charles noted the reduction in the positions held by women in the Executive, contrary to the minimum 35% threshold.

“However, during this reporting quarter, RJMEC noted with concern that there was a reduction in the positions held by women in the Executive, contrary to the minimum 35% threshold as stipulated in the Agreement,” Charles said.

“For example, the former Mayor of Juba City, a female, was replaced by a male. Further, it is observed that the only female governor in the country was recently replaced by a male governor, making all the ten states to have 0% women governors.”

He expressed RJMEC’s disappointment over the lack of adherence by the National Election Commission (NEC) to the 35% women representation in the appointment of the State High Committees.

“RJMEC urges that whenever a female incumbent is replaced, the Parties to the Agreement should pay due consideration to the 35% minimum requirement of women’s representation in the executive and other decision-making bodies as stipulated in the R-ARCSS.”