ROUNDTABLE: 35% Affirmative Action and the 2026 Elections: Will South Sudan Deliver on Women's Political Participation?

As South Sudan moves toward the December 2026 elections, the issue of women's political participation remains at the center of the country's democratic journey. The Revitalized Peace Agreement guarantees women at least 35 percent representation in public institutions, but the upcoming elections will test whether that commitment extends beyond appointments and quotas into genuine electoral competition.

Will political parties field enough female candidates? What obstacles continue to stand in the way of women seeking elected office? And how can women move from reserved seats to winning competitive constituencies?

To discuss these questions, in this episode we are joined by female parliamentarians representing the five signatories to the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

Guests: 

- Hon. Viola Samuel Satti Chairperson of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus - SPLM

- Hon. Natalina Malek- SSOA

- Hon. Anna Samuel SPLM-IO 

- Hon. Victoria Benjamin- OPP

- Hon. Susan John - National Agenda