Riek Machar, the leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), has set a mandatory 40% quota for women.
SPLM-IO, South Sudan’s main opposition party, said the move was informed by the contribution made by women in the struggle for independence from Sudan.
SPLM-IO joined the country’s unity government in February 2019 in a peace deal aimed at ending six years of civil war. The unity government is in power for a transitional three-year period, that will end in fresh elections.
“Women were with male soldiers in the front line… So let’s raise the bar to 40%. Officially, let’s put it in our resolutions that the affirmative action is going to be 40%,” Mr Machar said.
The party held its first national conference in the capital, Juba.
The five-day meeting was attended by 1,399 delegates from the 10 regional states and the three administrative areas.
“We can also bring other women on our party list and others on geographical list. We have very strong women who can stand in the geographical constituencies and beat the men [in elections],” Dr Machar added.
The delegates also endorsed the appointment of Regina Joseph Kapa as interim Secretary-General of SPLM-IO. Her appointment comes after Tingo Peter resigned last month.