By Matik Kueth
On Wednesday, South Sudan Women’s Union (SSWU) called for stronger laws and institutions to ensure the country’s planned elections become a means of resolving political differences peacefully rather than a source of renewed conflict.
Speaking at the Inter-Party-Political Dialogue in Juba, Prof. Julia Akeer Duany, SSWU’s Women’s Council representative, said South Sudan’s democratic process should not be defined by the ballot box alone.
“We want the democratic process to save lives. It is not just about the ballot box. It is about creating systems and laws that protect lives. Losing elections should be acceptable if the law is there. Disputes on resolution and politics,” Duany said.
She stressed that credible institutions capable of resolving electoral disputes are essential to political stability, arguing that political competition should not lead to renewed violence.
“Losing elections can be acceptable. Disputes are resolved, and political life is safe. Investing in an institution is the most effective way to ensure that elections resolve conflict instead of becoming one of the causes,” she stated.
Dunay noted that women and children bear the greatest consequences when political disagreements escalate into conflict, urging political leaders to use dialogue to build conditions for lasting peace.
“Women, children, and women bear the consequences of the bitterness of the election party. Women, we are always the victims,” she stated.
She called on political leaders to approach the dialogue as South Sudanese seeking a peaceful solution, rather than allowing political differences to deepen divisions.
“My concern, or our concern as mothers, as your sisters, is that we are tired of war. Can we understand each other?” she urged.
The Inter-Party-Political Dialogue, held under the theme “Towards Peaceful, Inclusive, Transparent and Credible Elections,” brought together political parties and other stakeholders to discuss key issues, concerns and proposals ahead of South Sudan’s upcoming elections.
The SSWU further called for meaningful participation of women throughout the dialogue, including representation in mediation, facilitation and decision-making processes.
Duany underlined that women’s involvement should be substantive rather than symbolic, arguing that women have played a longstanding role in peacebuilding and community-level conflict resolution.
She urged the political leadership to ensure the dialogue contributes to a peaceful political transition and prevents a return to war.
“Please, let this dialogue bring public peace to South Sudan so that the women of South Sudan can be able to celebrate, so that the children of South Sudan can be able to sing songs in the playground,” she said.