Aware of our collective failures as a people that has brought about the
current unfortunate crisis, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our fallen
heroes not so long ago, and guided by the principles of unity and humanity that
will lead us back on the path of justice, transparency, accountability, hope,
love, forgiveness, healing, and celebration of our diversity, culture and
history; stand together as mothers, sisters, and daughters of South Sudan, in a
desperate call for an end to the current deaths, displacement and suffering of
our people.
At this juncture, we take the opportunity to:
i. Appreciate the efforts of IGAD and the international community in
initiating the Addis talks, as of the 4th of January 2014, but note the slow
progress in getting the parties to agree on cessation of hostilities as a
matter of urgency;
ii. Welcome the AUʼs stand as stated in the AU Peace and Security
Council Chairperson Report of the 30th December 2013, on the situation in South
Sudan, particularly the appeal for immediate cessation of hostilities as a sign
of commitment and stressing ".. the urgent imperative of an inclusive
dialogue among all concerned stakeholders based on the rejection of the use of
force, respect for human rights and dignity, the rule of law and constitutional
legality". (see articles 24 of the report);
iii. Acknowledge the bilateral and multilateral efforts for the release of
the political detainees and cessation of hostilities, noting that over 1000
people have died and over 180,000 displaced as a result of this crisis.
As we continue to mourn the loss of our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers,
sons and daughters who have died a senseless death; dreading the unceasing
suffering of those faced with displacement, separation, violence, hatred,
uncertainty, fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones; troubled
by the slow progress of the negotiations in Addis for cessation of hostilities
to put an immediate stop to the bloodletting; concerned by the rhetoric of
hostility and use of military force uttered by our leaders and member states in
the region; worried about the fate of those affected and displaced given
reports by the UN that relief is quickly running out; faced with the increasing
fear of uncertainty for the countryʼs future, we the South Sudanese Women
call upon:
Our leaders on both sides of the conflict, to show true leadership in
stopping the bloodletting and displacement of innocent civilians, bringing a
swift end to the current crisis through honest and sincere dialogue, refraining
from hostile rhetoric and cynicism against each other, making the necessary
compromises while upholding the true principles of democracy, freedom and equal
opportunities, for the greater good of the people of South Sudan;
Our President, H.E. Salva Kirr Mayardit to stop the ongoing killings in Juba
and accelerate the release of political detainees.
The international community and friends of South Sudan, most notably IGAD,
the AUSC, the UNSC, the Troika member states, China and Sudan to step-up their
efforts through:
i. Understanding the urgency in resolving the crisis. In this regard we call
for the increased role of the African Union in the mediation efforts for a
swift agreement to cessation of hostilities so as to end the bloodletting and
displacement of civilians;
ii. Provision of relief and humanitarian assistance to the affected
populations wherever they are, prioritizing vulnerable groups namely children,
expecting and lactating women, the physically disabled, the elderly and the
chronically and severely ill.
iii. Immediate deployment of an additional well equipped 5,000 UN police and
peace keeping personnel for the protection of civilians and monitoring of human
rights atrocities and the cease fire modalities to be agreed;
iv. Refraining from, and condemning the use of military force, or any such
rhetoric that may aggravate the situation further by any member of the Region
and/or friends of South Sudan, and stick to the path of peaceful negotiations;
In this spirit we deplore the continued presence of Ugandan troops in South
Sudan and demand their immediate withdrawal in the interest of restoring trust
in the IGAD efforts.
We also call upon the youth and communities of South Sudan, in and outside
the Country, to take the moral high ground and promote a peaceful solution to the
current crisis, understanding that as one people our individual freedom depends
on the freedom of our country men and women; that it is in such testing times
that showing unity across ethnic borders makes us stronger as a people; and
that it is the sum of all individuals in our nation that defines us as South
Sudanese.
As a nation of significant wealth and a proud and dignified people, we
appeal to all concerned to step up efforts to reverse the current situation and
ensure a return to peace and stability in this new nation.
God bless our Country, its leaders and its people.
