Radio Miraya
2756: NAIROBI PEACE TALKS: Women's Participation in the Mediation Process
[MUSIC PLAYING] You are listening to a special broadcast of the South Sudan peace talks in Nairobi, Kenya, on Radio Miraya, the voice of peace. [MUSIC PLAYING] Oh, yes. Right away, we cross over to Nairobi, where the radio Miraya team is there closely following the high-level mediation talks. And we understand there were some developments over the weekend, so sunny is in Nairobi. And yes, sunny, over to you, good morning. Good morning to you, Erin Lasso. Yeah, we had about the developments. Just bring us a speed. Yes, yesterday, there was a press conference that was held in the afternoon at 1 p.m. here in Nairobi by Raul Deng. And he was refitting, or claiming, or disown a document that was circulating on social media with a title, Fundamental Issues for Achieving Peace in South Sudan. So yesterday, he held a press conference and saying that that is not correct. That document is perpetrated by enemies of peace in South Sudan. As a summer, they are committed to a peaceful solution to the conflict happening in South Sudan. And yesterday, let's just listen to what Raul said to the press here in Nairobi. We, the leaders of Soma, and other opposition groups condemn in the strongest term possible these malicious activities of enemies of peace in South Sudan and in the region. We want to assure the government of Kenya, the mediation team, and the international partners to disregard the malicious acts of enemies of peace. We remain committed to the pursuit of lasting peace in our country. In regards to this document, this document has nothing to do with Soma or any opposition group who are negotiating here. Oh, yes. And we've had the voice of Soma representative Lual Dow. And yes, Sunny, this is making headlines here back at home. So when did this document start circulating? Do you know? Yes, yes, the document started circulating on the 7th of this man, and immediately, like you heard from him, there was a press conference called to his own. That is why they were using and condemning it. We asked him yesterday during the press conference whether they will be investigating that kind of document. He never answered. He dodged the question and did not answer that. Just they said they are committed to ensure that the peace process goes on peacefully. And he was saying something. I said that there is a cell now in Malachar. It bent you, in toilet, and in yambio, who won't food. The major issue should be now is how to provide food for this kind of a child who is in need. Moving away from that, because of the interest of time, the number of women participating in this talks here in Arabic is very minimal. They are less than actually, I should say, seven women all together from all sides. Wow. There are two from the government dedication. And one from the civil society, who is from the PC plus the rest are all from other stakeholders. And I'm doing here this morning by Brigitte Nagamolo, who is the representative from the Women's Block civil society. She joins me right here now. Good morning, and thank you so much for honoring our invitation this morning. Thank you so much. Thank you, viewers. OK, first of all, let's begin. Are you worried? Oh, are you concerned about the number of women who are here in Arabic taking part in this level of mediation for a thousand? Thank you so much. Allow me to-- the way I would like my name to be pronounced. OK, please. My name is Nagamolo, Brigitte. OK, you first Nagamolo. Yes. OK. I like that, too. All right. Thank you. Yeah, I'm here representing all women in the country, but in a special way, all the ticket of women block. Yes. To the point that you have asked it, that's my concern. We are very many here, though less than 100 or less than 70. But at least around 50 participants were here. But only seven women, less than 10. That's my concern, because I'm here occurring all the women in South Sudan and those in Diaspora, but those who are not much, but those in refugee camps, and those who are the IDPs. We have the biggest population number, I would say, in our country. Why should we always be the fewest among the rest? So I've interacted with all the groups here. And the concern to me, the race, is, of course, this mediation is not secure, all the facilities that they could be able to invite so many. But now, maybe the thinking of that. I said, no, the number is big. We need to have at least that good number for women among these men. Thank goodness, at least one woman surfaced among the opposition party. And we are either of them anymore. And among us, as a city with civil society, we also need more women to join us so that we can really continue to deliberate well on all the metrics that are being given to us. Thank you. Are there specific issues affecting women in South Sudan that are being discussed in these high-level mediation for South Sudan, the one you have seen? Oh, yes. All this metric we are discussing, women are inclusive. There is none that we talk about without mentioning women. Because women and children are the people who are very much affected in South Sudan. Say, for example, when we talk about justice, we talk of security, who are the ones who are so much affected, women and children. And we really don't oversight women, but we always mention them in our talk. And that's my responsibility and everyone's responsibility here. And you have been so busy. We can't reveal this over 70 page document that was given to all of you. First of all, what's going to happen today from what you know? Thank you so much. We completed all the four metrics, and then we compiled them together. And we sat down again to go over each and every word to word line to line. We managed to complete three, we are remaining with one, which we shall be finishing this morning. But I think I'm not very sure if we shall have the plenary today. They may have designed the program that they have to meet as according to our groups, civil society and the groups at different times. OK, and in the document, it is a report of the higher level of mediation for South Sudan to get a draft. In that document, without going into details, are there specific issues that is addressing women apart from the one who says justice? There are very many assets, justice, security. Yes. OK, let me just give a very simple example. For we have 35% affirmative action. Yes. If we look back home, is it fully implemented or partly implemented? So we want this to be fully implemented. That's one of the things in all the levels of government. Yes. So what are you expecting from this higher level of mediation for South Sudan? My expectation is, please, according to my own observation, everyone who is participating in this highly mediation for peace. The one thing I have noticed is, each person or each group has realized the mistake where they've gone wrong. And they are ready to reactify. Therefore, we are here for peace. If you know your mistake and you can correct it, that means you can rise above it, then to find a solution and move forward. So what I'm here for and what I'm thinking is, what I have seen, if it is true, you're moving forward for peace. OK. Nagomo Brigitte, thank you so much. And we would allow you to go and complete your assignment this morning. Yes, Irene, that's what we have for you here. The parties here are invited into groups. We have the government delegation headed by Ambassador Albin Matam, who is also here with this team analyzing this 73 page document. We have the civil society or the stakeholders, including the religious leaders, the academia and the eminent personalities. And also, the summer group, the non-secondarys, they're also having the team led by Paganamong. And they will be finishing this document. And we are told that the mediators will be meeting them, has grouped before there is a pressure. But we have to find out what happens in the course of the day. All right. Thank you so much. Keep your ears on the ground, Sani Martin.