Peter Adwok Nyaba speaking during the Civil Society conference in Juba on Wed, 20th March 2024. Photo Credit: Daniel Garang Deng

Veteran politician Professor Peter Adwok Nyaba has challenged South Sudan’s political leaders to present concrete development plans instead of focusing on political positions ahead of the December 2026 general elections.

The veteran academic made the remarks in Juba on Friday during the signing of the Declaration of Essential Principles by the National Alliance of Political Parties and the Civil Society Organizations Alliance.

Professor Nyaba criticized the implementation of the 35 percent quota for women.

He said women are often not given the opportunity to choose their own representatives, with some positions allegedly filled through personal connections and favouritism.

“The 35% quota allocated to women is merely political rhetoric. The women themselves don’t actually choose their representatives within the quota; rather, some men select them based on personal connections and favouritism. In other words, they are imposed by men,” he said.

He also said many politicians are competing for positions such as minister, president and member of parliament without presenting programmes for the country’s economic, social and cultural development.

“Currently, you’re discussing elections, focusing on power, while no one is addressing the country’s development. Everyone aspires to high-ranking positions minister, president, or member of parliament but no one has presented a comprehensive development program, whether economic, social, or even cultural,” he said.

Professor Nyaba urged the younger generation of political leaders to reject tribal and societal divisions, saying political competition should unite rather than divide South Sudanese.

“There’s a stark difference between your generation and ours. We used to fight against specific issues; now, there are no enemies. You’ve become enemies of each other due to tribal and societal divisions. You need to reconsider this approach. Is this how our country can move forward?” he asked.

The Declaration of Essential Principles commits political parties and civil society organizations to uphold the rule of law, promote constructive political dialogue, reject violence and hate speech, and support a peaceful environment for South Sudanese to participate freely and confidently in the electoral process.