Women in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State call for the implementation of 35 percent political representation, as stipulated in the peace agreement in the next state government.

“The agreed quota of women should appear at all levels of the next government,” says a female representative, Rejina Daud. “As women, we have rights to participate in decision making. We want our share of the judiciary, the courts and among chiefs.” 

Ms. Daud was speaking at a political forum in Aweil town, facilitated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

“The return to Northern Bahr el Ghazal as one state is a positive step towards uniting the people of the area. Our commissioners will now be able to provide services as they will get paid on time,” says Angelina Acheic Chok, another participant.   

The discussion brought together ten political parties in the state, including the ruling party, the Sudan people’s Liberation Movement, and the main opposition party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition. Among the topics on the agenda were challenges of fair resource management and distribution, creating a selection process based on merit rather than connections and family ties, and the effective representation of youth in the transitional government of national unity.

“As youths of Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal we are demanding the provision of security and youth empowerment, including by means of a 20 percent representation in the government,” says Akol Alung Wek, one of the young men in attendance. “Our state government should construct health facilities and a university so that the youth can continue with their studies here instead of moving to Juba to access higher learning institutions,” he added.

To guarantee the safety and unity of citizens in the state, forum participants recommended that roads be constructed, education made accessible, employment opportunities created and affordable food made available.

“Our main concern is food security. We want stable prices for commodities so that citizens will have food for the day,” explains Paul Kuel Kuel, Chairperson of the Umbrella of the Political Parties in the area.

According to UNMISS, the forum brought together six women and forty men.