Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM1192
2006-05-22 05:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

CIVIL SOCIETY GROWS IN JUBA

Tags:  PGOV KWMN SU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2366
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1192 1420533
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220533Z MAY 06 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2887
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001192 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KWMN SU

SUBJECT: CIVIL SOCIETY GROWS IN JUBA


UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001192

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KWMN SU

SUBJECT: CIVIL SOCIETY GROWS IN JUBA



1. SUMMARY: As one indication of the growing strength of
civil society in Southern Sudan, the Catholic Archdiocese
of Juba with the support of the Sudan Council of Churches
(SCC) and the Life and Peace Institute Horn of Africa,
organized a workshop for the "Voice of Women for Peace
and Faith Civil Group Society (VWPFCGS)" in Juba from May
8-12. The topics discussed at this peace rally were
peace building, leadership and teamwork, democracy, the
comprehensive peace agreement and human rights, and the
constitution. The workshop was concluded by a peace
rally held at Dr. Garang memorial in Juba on May 13. End
Summary.

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Background
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2. The Voice of Women for Peace and Faith (VWPF) is a
civil society organization dedicated to peace and gender
equality. It was formed in October, 2005 following a
workshop organized by the Sudan Aid Women's Desk Office
under the auspices of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba.
VWPF membership includes representatives from the
Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church of Sudan, the
Africa Inland Church, the Presbyterian Church, and Muslim
women.

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Peace Rally
--------------


3. The peace rally following the workshop was the first
of its kind in Juba since the formation of the Government
of Southern Sudan (GoSS) in October 2005. James Wani
Igga, Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly
(SSLA),Henry Danga, Deputy Governor of Bahr Al Jebel
State (BJS),and Archbishop Paulino Lokudu Loro of Juba
spoke at the rally, which was attended by dignitaries,
officials from the GoSS and BJS, and an audience of about
200, mostly women. Scattered in the crowd were banners
which read "women's call for realization of the 25% of
government position" (Note: this refers to the CPA
provision giving 25 percent of government positions to
qualified women. End Note.),"halt violence against
women" and "give women a chance," among others.

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Speeches
--------------


4. During the speeches, the Deputy Governor of BJS,
Henry Danga, affirmed his government's commitment to the
25 percent and said that there are 15 women who would
soon graduate from their training and begin work as BJS
officials. He promised to raise women's participation in
the state government to 50 percent.

--------------
Comment
--------------


7. Civil society groups are becoming more active, and
getting more firmly established in the nascent southern
societal structures. There will most likely be more
civil society celebrations and gatherings within the
coming months. While still celebratory, these
demonstrations may become more contentious if the
people's expectations for development are not met. End
Comment.

HUME