South Sudanese Women Voice Concerns Over Rising Violence and Peace Threats

Women in South Sudan have expressed alarm over escalating violence and the threats to the 2018 peace agreement and Tumaini Initiative. Activist Grace John Kenyi condemned recent conflicts and called for restraint, unity, and action from stakeholders. The women urged dialogue, accountability, and support from international communities to restore peace and security in the region.

A group of South Sudanese women expressed grave concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in their nation, emphasizing the peril facing the 2018 peace agreement and the Tumaini Initiative. During a press conference in Juba, Grace John Kenyi, a peace activist and human rights defender, articulated their alarm over escalating violence, particularly highlighting recent clashes in Nasir, Upper Nile State, from February 14, 2025.

The coalition of women conveyed their condolences to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and families grieving the loss of life amid the conflict. They adamantly called for restraint amidst the violence. Kenyi remarked, “We are profoundly alarmed by the growing threats to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and the Tumaini Initiative, both are now at serious risk of collapsing amidst rising political instability and insecurity.”

The women pledged unity and urged stakeholders to take decisive action to terminate the ongoing conflict and tackle the exacerbating economic crisis adversely impacting the vulnerable. Alongside this, they criticized the use of social media to propagate hate speech and misinformation, which only intensifies community divisions.

While acknowledging the government’s efforts to foster peace and security despite ongoing unrest, the activists commended citizens committed to upholding humanitarian values. Kenyi advocated for dialogue among R-ARCSS signatories to mitigate tensions and accelerate the unification and deployment of necessary forces for national peace and security.

The coalition implored the international community to support investigative initiatives into the violence and hold accountable those responsible for breaches of peace. They called upon various ministries to prioritize dialogue, uphold the rule of law, and fast-track peace agreement implementations to restore stability.

Furthermore, they appealed to the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement, Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, African Union (AU), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to strengthen peace initiatives by adhering to ceasefire agreements and protecting civilians.

The women also urged diplomatic missions in South Sudan to leverage their influence for peace, accountability, humanitarian assistance, and collaboration with international partners to ensure enduring stability through political and economic means. They specifically called on the White Army to renounce violence and engage in peaceful discussions.

Lilian Sukeji Micheal, another activist, stated their commitment to engaging women in leadership positions to promote peace, stating, “We are going to distribute the statement from office to office, especially to women political figures at the high level to involve them from today.”

The expression of concern by South Sudanese women underscores the urgent need for diplomatic engagement and decisive action to avert the collapse of critical peace agreements in the country. Their unified call for dialogue, accountability, and humanitarian assistance highlights the essential role women can play in fostering stability. The situation necessitates immediate attention from both local stakeholders and the international community to address the escalating violence and protect vulnerable populations.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org