A group of South Sudanese women held an anti-war protest at the Dr John Garang Freedom Square in Juba Saturday.
The demonstration, attended by women representing all parts of the country under the theme “Give Peace a Chance,” urged the warring parties to achieve peace at next week’s negotiations in Addis Ababa.
“We women of this country are very tired of this war,” said Rita Martin, executive director of the South Sudan Women’s Platform for Peace. “Our children and beloved ones has died and we need peace.”
Martin’s group sent a letter demanding peace to the Office of the President and to the armed opposition delegation in Addis Ababa.
“We need our voice to be heard,” Martin said. She added that if the two parties do not end the war the women will again take to the streets in peaceful protest.
President Salva Kiir was supposed to meet the women at the march but instead sent the speaker of the national parliament Manasseh Magok Rundial to receive the letter.
Peace talks are due to restart on July 30th after being adjourned for about a month.
Radio Tamazuj Photo: Women march for peace in Juba 25 July 2014
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