South Sudan: the country at a crossroads, warns the UN

The necessary conditions for holding a credible and inclusive vote are still far from being met, according to the information presented to the United Nations. The reconstituted Joint Commission for the Monitoring and Evaluation of the peace agreement, as well as the main organization advocating for women and girls in South Sudan, have reiterated several recommendations already made in recent years, but their implementation remains limited.

The first concerns the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The organizations wish for the protection of civilians, particularly women and girls exposed to sexual violence related to the conflict, to be further strengthened.

They also call for the rapid establishment of a hybrid court for South Sudan, as well as the formation of a Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing. These institutions are among the commitments outlined in the revitalized peace agreement signed in 2018 but have not yet been fully established.

Women’s participation remains below the set target

Advocates for the peace process are also demanding increased involvement of women in elections and in the constitutional, judicial, and political mechanisms of the transition. They want their representation to finally exceed the minimal quota of 35% set in the political arrangements.

Women’s participation remains a central issue in a country where violence related to armed clashes and community tensions continue to weaken the population. Their presence in decision-making institutions is presented as a necessary condition for a more representative political process.

The consulted stakeholders finally call on the United Nations Security Council to use its influence to promote a broader agreement among political parties and civil society organizations. They specifically wish for a mission to be sent to Juba to establish a trust dialogue with all stakeholders involved.

Scheduled for December, the election is set to be a key milestone for the political transition of South Sudan, which has been independent since 2011. However, the intensification of violence, delays in implementing the peace agreement, and the absence of political consensus cast uncertainties over its timeline and credibility.