JUBA – The fate of embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Peter Mayen Majongdit is hanging on uncertainty after a group of women under the banner South Sudanese Organization Against Gender Base Violence petitioned the government to orchestrate his ouster.
The group challenged the government to flex its authority by bringing perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence to book; particularly Mr. Mayen, who has been accused of assaulting his wife Aluel Garang Garang, famously known as Aluel ‘Messi’.
“We are surprised by the total silence and lack of accountability by the RTGONU leadership towards Peter Mayen Majongdit, which only puts more women, girls, and boys at risk of sexual and gender-based violence,’’ they said in a statement on Monday, July 9.
They handed the petition to President Salva Kiir, Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, Jemma Nunu Kumba the speaker of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA), and Aya Benjamin Warille, the Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare.
Dressed in black, the group traversed Juba City as they chanted ‘Peter Mayen must go!’ ‘Justice for Ayen Messi’, ‘Justice for survivors of GBV’, before presenting a communique to the Minister of Gender Child and Social Welfare Aya Benjamin Warille.
Aya condemned all forms of violence committed against women particularly GBV and promised action.
“This case has been on social media, we did not receive any official information or letter but when we saw it on social media, we decided to assign two officials to investigate,” Aya explained.
Family roped in
She disclosed that Aluel’s father had made a courtesy call to her ministry and shared with her the tribulations of her daughter, and that plans were underway to involve VP Nyandeng.
The group petitioned the Speaker of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA) Jemma Nunu Kumba through her First Deputy Speaker Oyet Nathaniel, who commiserated with the victims of the GBV.
Mr. Nathaniel said, “From what I have heard from your petition there is a criminal dimension associated with assault and torture, which are in violation of our bill of rights and particularly regarding the rights of women and children, we are aware of this very much.’’
“We regret as a parliament that the rights of Aluel Messi are being violated; we very much regret this as a parliament. We have our constitution, we have our court that prohibits human rights violation and violation of the rights of children,” he added.
Time to act
Oyet promised to deliver the petition to the speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba and after they would sit as the leadership of the assembly and consult with other relevant authorities.
“We are here to say enough is enough. We want women to be protected by the government, to be given rights and respect as the citizens of this country,’’ said Ruth Nyalel James, one of the women who took to the streets to seek justice for Aluel.
Another activist, Wani Michael, the Executive Director of Okay Africa Foundation who joined the group in solidarity with women said, “We cannot allow a cabinet minister to inflict pain on somebody. So, we want justice to be administered to Aluel and all the women in South Sudan”.
Amere Ruben, a social worker with Crown the Women, promised to ensure justice is served for Aluel and other survivors of GBV who fear coming out.
“We are calling for Peter Mayen’s removal from his position, not because we don’t want him to work but for his actions. He should act as an example to other perpetrators,” she said.
However, most of the women did not have any idea of the whereabouts of Aluel at the time. They did not know either whether she is in good condition or not.
Aluel is one of the South Sudanese best female footballers and is being considered a role model to many young women with talents in sports.
The women said they were aware of Article 2.1.10.2 of the R-ARCSS that requires parties to refrain from all acts and forms of sexual and gender-based violence, sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse; which are also prohibited actions according to the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (CoHA) of 21st December 2017.
According to the bill of rights, under the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS) 2011 as amended, that the Penal Code 2009, ratification of international legal instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), Universal Declaration Human Rights (UDRH) Goma Declaration on Eradicating Sexual Violence and Ending Impunity in Great Lakes Region, Kampala Declaration on Sexual Violence and Gender-Based Violence, the Conventional on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the National Action Plan (NAP);
Sketching from the Bill of Rights under the Transitional Constitution 2011 as amended, the Penal Code 2009, ratification of international legal instruments such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Goma Declaration on Eradicating of Sexual Violence, and Ending Impunity in Great Lakes Region, Kampala Declaration on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the National Action Plan (NAP).
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