Women leaders in South Sudan have called on President Salva Kiir to facilitate the release of First Vice President Riek Machar Teny and other political detainees as part of efforts to restart an inclusive political dialogue aimed at advancing the country’s fragile peace process.
The appeal was made during a gathering of women leaders and peace advocates in Juba, where participants issued a communiqué highlighting concerns over the current political and security situation in the country and the slow progress in implementing the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
The statement was read by Rita Lopidia, Executive Director of EVE Organization for Women Development, on behalf of a coalition of South Sudanese women’s groups, peace mediators, civil society representatives, and members of the business and academic communities.
“We appeal to His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit to facilitate the release of the suspended First Vice President Riek Machar Teny and other political detainees, and to declare amnesty for political exiles in the spirit of peace and reconciliation,” Lopidia said while presenting the communiqué.
According to the women leaders, such steps would help rebuild trust among political actors and create a conducive environment for a broad-based and inclusive political dialogue ahead of the country’s planned elections.
The communiqué followed a three-day meeting held in Juba from March 11 to 13, bringing together women signatories to the peace agreement alongside representatives from the South Sudan Women Coalition for Peace, the South Sudan Women’s Union, the South Sudan Women Mediators Group, civil society organizations, faith-based institutions, and political parties.
Participants said the meeting aimed to deliberate on the current political landscape and identify strategies to strengthen women’s participation in ongoing political processes, including preparations for the general elections scheduled for 2026.
In their communiqué, the women leaders demanded the immediate commencement of a time-bound and inclusive leadership dialogue to address outstanding provisions of the peace agreement and ensure credible and peaceful elections.
“We demand the immediate commencement of a time-bound and inclusive leadership dialogue to complete outstanding tasks under the peace agreement and to ensure free, fair, and credible elections by December 2026,” Lopidia read in the statement.
The women emphasized that no further extensions to the transitional period should be considered, urging political leaders to prioritize the full implementation of the peace agreement and necessary electoral preparations.
The women leaders also expressed deep concern about the deteriorating political and security environment in parts of the country, particularly recent violence in areas such as Akobo County and Abriano, which they said has triggered renewed displacement of civilians.
They warned that ongoing instability threatens the progress achieved since the signing of the peace agreement and places women, children, and elderly people at heightened risk.
The communiqué also highlighted the worsening economic crisis, including rising inflation, loss of livelihoods, and the breakdown of essential services, which participants said disproportionately affects women and vulnerable communities.
Women leaders further called for immediate compliance with the constitutional requirement for women’s representation in governance structures.
They cited Article 16 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan, which guarantees at least 35 percent representation for women in government institutions.
According to the statement, the current composition of delegates in the recently announced broad-based political dialogue falls far short of that requirement.
“The allocation of seven women out of seventy delegates in the dialogue is unacceptable,” the communiqué noted, urging authorities to take corrective measures to ensure that women are meaningfully represented in political processes.
The women also requested the reinstatement of the position of Gender Advisor to the President to strengthen gender-responsive decision-making at the highest levels of government.
In addition, the women leaders called for an immediate cessation of hostilities across the country to allow internally displaced persons and refugees to return safely to their communities and participate in upcoming political processes.
They also urged the government to safeguard civic and political freedoms, including the rights to freedom of assembly, movement, and expression.
Participants stressed that a peaceful and inclusive political environment is essential for credible elections and long-term stability.
Despite the challenges facing the country’s transition, the women leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, reconciliation, and national unity.
They highlighted the historic role played by South Sudanese women during the peace negotiations between 2014 and 2018, which eventually led to the signing of the revitalized peace agreement.
According to the communiqué, women remain key actors in mediation, humanitarian response, and community reconciliation efforts across the country.
“The women of South Sudan remain firmly seized of this matter and reiterate that without women, there can be no peace,” Lopidia concluded while reading the statement.
The women leaders called on the government, political parties, regional partners, and the international community to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the peace agreement and to guarantee inclusive participation in South Sudan’s political future.
