South Sudan: activist denounces two women among 13 ministers
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Radio Tamazuj
Only two women are among the 13 ministers in South Sudan’s current interim government, according to activist Jackline Nasiwa. She accuses the authorities of reducing women’s representation despite the 35% quota, ahead of elections scheduled for December 2026, Radio Tamazuj reports.
Only two women are among the 13 ministers in South Sudan’s interim government, Jackline Nasiwa, executive director of the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ), denounced on Tuesday, according to Radio Tamazuj. She said this decline threatens the progress made under the 35% quota reserved for women’s representation, ahead of elections scheduled for December 2026.
Jackline Nasiwa also reported a decline in women’s presence in state administrations, with some local administrations having no women in leadership positions. Angelina Mathijo Bazugba, an analyst on women, peace and security issues and an assistant professor at the University of Juba, said women held 27% of executive positions and 32% of parliamentary seats, below the minimum quota of 35%.
The two officials took part in a workshop bringing together women leaders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders on women’s participation in the democratic transition and electoral process. Mathijo said women excluded from appointed positions were sometimes replaced by men, while Nasiwa called on the government to honour its commitments on equality, particularly those linked to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
The criticism came two days after South Sudanese women called for a greater role in the electoral process on 18 October, as part of their demands for the elections. It comes as the country prepares for the general election scheduled for December 2026.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
