July 15, 2020 (Nyamilepedia) – The Troika countries – US, UK and Norway – have praised SPLM-IO leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, for appointing a female governor which has been termed as respect to the agreement which stipulates for the representation of women by at least 35%.
President Kiir last month appointed eight of the ten-state governors. The agreement allocated six states to the SPLM-IG, three to the SPLM-IO, and one to South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA).
According to the revitalized peace deal, women are entitled to 35%. In appointing governors, Kiir did not respect that provision of the agreement and instead appointed all the six states granted to him by the agreement as men.
Machar appointed one of the three state governors allocated to him from among the women.
In a statement, the Troika praised the appointment of women as governor and urged the government of national unity to expedite the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement by appointing the remaining state governors.
“We also welcome the appointment of one female governor, although we note with disappointment that the agreement’s commitment to appoint a minimum of 35% women has not been met,” the Troika statement seen by Nyamilepedia partly read.
“This is despite the fact that women and girls are heavily impacted by gender based violence in areas of conflict, and remain among the most marginalized populations in the country,” they added.
“The Troika (the United States, Kingdom of Norway, and the United Kingdom) commends the Parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), for recent progress including the appointment of State governors.
“We look forward to the swift appointment of the remaining positions in Jonglei and Upper Nile states and the establishment of functioning governance structures in all states.”
