Women from various civil society organizations in South Sudan have urged IGAD leaders to intervene and prevent a potential third civil war. They expressed concern over the political unrest affecting regions and emphasized that women and children suffer the most from the violence. The IGAD summit aims to address the escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar.
Women from diverse civil society organizations in South Sudan have urged IGAD leaders to intervene and prevent a potential third civil war. In a joint statement ahead of the 43rd extraordinary summit, they expressed their deep concern regarding ongoing political unrest across Western Equatoria, Western Bahr El Ghazal, and Upper Nile States. “The resulting displacement and loss of lives are deeply distressing,” they stated.
The women’s organizations, signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on South Sudan’s conflict resolution, include the South Sudan Women’s Coalition for Peace (SSWCP), the Women Bloc of South Sudan, and the Gender Empowerment for South Sudan Organization (GESSO). They collectively declared, “We categorically reject any return to war. War is neither an option nor a solution to the challenges facing our nation.”
In their statement, they highlighted that women and children are disproportionately affected by the violence, suffering the most severe consequences of political strife. “The South Sudanese people, particularly women and children, have endured the devastating consequences of violence for far too long. Today, we bear the economic hardship that has made it incredibly difficult for women to provide for their families and afford basic necessities,” they lamented.
The 43rd extraordinary summit, convened by Djibouti President Israel Omar Guelleh, aims to address the escalating conflict in South Sudan amid fears of impending violence between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar, who leads an armed opposition. The summit will involve the Heads of State from the eight IGAD member nations as they confront the rising tensions in the region.
The united front of South Sudanese women implores IGAD leaders to take decisive action to avert an escalation into a third civil war. Their plea underscores the urgent need for political stability and the alleviation of suffering endured by women and children. The 43rd extraordinary summit serves as a critical platform for addressing the dire circumstances facing the nation and the threats posed by ongoing political unrest.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
