S. Sudan women’s forum ends in disarray as states’ ministers disagree
By Isaac Vuni
May 29, 2009 (JUBA) — After heated wrangling over how to name themselves, the General Association of Southern Sudan Women have today passed the name and elected the council’s 60 members, six from each of the ten states of southern Sudan to operate for a three year term.
The closure came about as state ministers failed to compromise on issues that enhance women’s empowerment at all levels. Indeed, some ministers from Warrap and Jonglei were very authoritarian on their delegates and threatened them to adhere to whatever they wished rather than allowing the views of the grassroots women to be represented.
Nevertheless, Minister Kiden appealed to women never to be divided as the coming general elections and referendum scheduled for 9th January 2011 because of what has happened during their three days of deliberation on issues affecting southern Sudan women at all levels. But some women accused her of being dictatorial and manipulating the constitution in favour of women of Central Equatoria State.
The women’s association approved objectives for promotion of peace, good governance, democracy, transparency, accountability, gender equality, human rights, the rule of law and empowerment of women at all level through building a better future by establishing appropriate socio-economic and political orders based on principles of equitable development.
Women’s representatives also approved of an ultimatum on 30th May urging disarmament in Juba City by arresting all soldiers found carrying guns after working hours. Following a directive from President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Commander-in-chief of SPLA, the minister of SPLA Affairs has ordered forces to move into Juba city to effect control on insecurity being caused in name of SPLA by illegally armed persons dressed in SPLA uniform.
Equally, the governor of Central Equatoria state, Clement Wani Konga, has given on 30th May an ultimatum for Mundari raiders to return looted Bari cows and urges religious leaders to amicably reconcile the two communities that had lived together for many years without fighting each other.
Women delegates have reiterated that they reject in principle the uniting of the two parts of Sudan, south and north, a contentious issue within the SPLM and the subject of the 2011 referendum.
SPLM/A was formed in the bush in 1983 following Bor May mutiny led by battalion 105 Major Kerubuno Kuanyin Bol followed by Ayod mutiny in June under Major William Nyuon.
In the peace deal and constitutional settlement won by the guerrilla movement in 2005, Article 20 and 29 outline the rights of women and freedom of assembly. Read together with schedule D item 21 of the interim constitution of Southern Sudan, they permit formation of the association for women.
(ST)