South Sudan’s Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior has vowed to ensure that at least three women are appointed as state governors to fulfill the 35 percent share of women provided for in the peace agreement.
She made the remarks during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held in Juba on Wednesday.
“She [Nyandeng] talked about the 35 percent issue. She said the number available and present in the cabinet is less than 35 percent as provided for in the agreement,” Information Minister Michael Makuei told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
He added, “She [Nyandeng] is saying that at least we [women] must be given three governor positions, two from incumbent TGONU and one from IO, in so doing, they will be satisfied and this will meet their expectation.”
The revitalized peace agreement sets out a 35% Affirmative Action quota for women in government.
Last week, President Salva Kiir named 35 ministers and 10 deputy ministers, following weeks of negotiations over the new transitional government that was announced in the capital Juba, last month.
Kiir formed the presidency on February 22 and swore Riek Machar, leader of the main opposition SPLM-IO as First Vice President including other four vice presidents as stipulated in the peace deal.