Today we post a write-up of the Hekima Institute for Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR) round table series, held at HIPSIR on September 7, 2018, this year on the South Sudan peace process. This forum sought to provide a safe space for discussion on the South Sudan peace process as well as an understanding of the roles of different actors within the process and implications and challenges in the implementation of the agreement. The discussion came with the background of the hope of a new peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and exiled opposition leader and reinstated vice-president, Riek Machar. The forum was open to the public.
An Overview of the Discussion on the South Sudan Peace Process
By: Rebecca Mugo and Derartu Mathewos
The discussions were opened by HIPSIR director Dr. Elias Opongo who recognized the presence of the three guest presenters, faculty members, students, and all attendants. The guest presenters were Mr. James Oryema a representative of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – in Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Nairobi. The second presenter was Ms. Queen Makalele, a journalist and a graduate in Diplomacy and International Relations; and lastly, Mr. Mario Nakuwa who works in the civil society sector precisely engaging South Sudanese youth in peace building.
The first presenter, James Oryema, focused on “Development and implementation of the peace agreement and current challenges.” To lay the context for the current political crisis in South Sudan, Mr. Oryema recalled the 2015 Peace Agreement between the South Sudanese government and rebels signed in Juba which scuttled soon after signing. As a result, fighting broke out between the government forces and Riek Machar’s armed groups on 16th August 2016. Subsequently, another round of negotiations were initiated in Addis Ababa, but SPLM-IO refused to attend the first round. The venue was later changed to Khartoum and SPLM-IO accepted to participate in the negotiations. The negotiations yielded an accord on oil resources and power-sharing. The Khartoum process also reconsidered security arrangements, legislation, and constitution making. Beside the agreement to share power and management of oil resources, the Khartoum process also achieved a final settlement on access to humanitarian aid, release of prisoners of war, and a constitution of transitional unity government in four months’ time. The parties also discussed the arrangements for implementing the ceasefire. Despite the many things promised by the Khartoum agreement, there were still doubts on the implementation of the treaty from both sides.
In his conclusion, Mr. Oryema highlighted four key challenges or barriers to resolution of the South Sudan conflict: lack of commitment and political will from political parties engaged in the conflict and specifically in the spread of hate speech and contempt of ceasefire; conflict of interests among neighboring countries as some gain from continued in-fighting in Juba; impossibility to conduct a referendum due to security volatility; and poor support from the international community. In this milieu, the presenter underlined that the conflict in South Sudan will never be resolved by guns, but rather through negotiations and peaceful dialogues.
The next presenter, Ms. Queen Makalele, focused her talk on the“Involvement of women in the South Sudan peace process and their expectations.” She began by underscoring the centrality of womenfolk in the South Sudan peace process as 60% of the country’s population is comprised of women. They also constitute the most vulnerable population in wartime. Due to the South Sudanese political landscape that does not favor women’s participation, women have sought refuge and voice in alternative venues of civil society. She noted that the majority of women in civil society are working for peace and reconciliation in one way or another. However, Ms. Queen carried a strong message of the myriad challenges encountered by women due to prolonged conflict and particularly the ongoing crisis.
Firstly, the insecurity posed by current conflict has increased the vulnerability of women. Rape and sexual harassment in the farms, streets, and even in the camps is widespread. Women cannot move freely to find food and water for their children and families. Secondly, lack of education among the womenfolk has made them ignorant of their rights and how to exercise them. Ms. Queen specially noted that the delegation to the Addis peace negotiations comprised about 30% women but they only participated from the sidelines. Thirdly, women do not get justice for injustices perpetrated against them in times of war. Justice for women victims of rape, sexual harassment, maiming, and killing is relegated to the background even in times of peace. The situation worsens during war as injustices against women are manifold. Last but not least, she highlighted the excess burden of becoming a household head shouldered by women during, and most cases even after, war. When the menfolk leave the homes to fight, women suddenly find themselves as the family breadwinner. This may continue beyond the war where the husband is killed or incapacitated in war.
It will take time to address these challenges. However, the first step in that journey is to increase representation of women and girls in the peace talks and negotiations and ensure they are meaningfully engaged.
The final presentation by Mr. Mario Nakuwa focused on “The role of civil society in the peace process and their expectations.” He offered a framework on the role of civil society in the process of peace building in South Sudan and the efforts that have been made to move forward the situation in the country. To begin with, the presenter noted the South Sudan civil society forum held in Uganda on 2nd March, 2018 to push for talks between conflicting parties to take place. Participants to the forum represented some Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) country members. In this meeting, several issues were discussed including state boundaries, interests of the neighboring countries in relation to the interests of South Sudan, natural resources like land and oil, the composition of the transitional government, structure of the government, responsibility sharing; number of states, and size and composition of the Parliament.
Of critical importance in the Uganda meeting also was the security arrangements in South Sudan. The participants went to great lengths to discuss the timeframe for reintegration/unification of forces and the approach to the formation of one national army; security for Juba during the transition; demilitarization of civilian centers; cantonment of forces and security sector reforms or establishment of new security services. Notably, the meeting came up with recommendations for consideration by parties at the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) for IGAD.
In a nutshell, it was apparent from the discussions that South Sudan conflict is largely a fight over power and natural resources especially land and oil. External interests and ambivalence of the international community further complicates the conflict. Despite the challenges, South Sudanese are optimistic that the conflict can end, and healing and reconciliation in South Sudan will eventually be achieved. To realize these aspirations, constitutional reforms through referendum, to reduce executive powers, should be the first step. Considering how things stand at the moment, the president is above the constitution and that is what is causing problems. In addition, the negotiations to bring about a ceasefire and lasting peace should continue. They are helpful in fomenting confidence between parties and keep the hope for conflict resolution alive. Moreover, these processes must be all encompassing and inclusive of women and youth. Not as spectators to the peace negotiations but as equal contributors on the negotiation table. The civil society and religious leaders can play a role in seeing that is achieved. Finally, the presenters recommended that the African Union and the international community to take a more proactive role in bringing about peace in the youngest African nation.