Women organizations, Human Rights and Civil Society groups are calling on IGAD to appoint a high level gender advisor to the South Sudan peace process.

A woman activist, Santina Sadia says they acknowledge the effort made so far by the warring parties on the complexity of the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity.

Sadia said while addressing the media in Juba that South Sudanese are committed to ensure that peace prevails in the country.

“As women of South Sudan, we constructively challenge all of you to seriously show your commitment to meaningful women participation by immediately appointing a high level gender adviser to the IGAD – led South Sudan peace process, whose main responsibility is to advise the chief negotiators and the special envoy on gender with special attention to women’s issues and priorities and how these can be fully integrated into the negotiations.” She said.

The Executive Director of Eve Organization for women development, Rita Martin says the women of South Sudan are committed to a comprehensive resolution to the conflict in the country.

“We want to affirm that South Sudanese women should not be taken for granted, we are very serious and we are committed and we want to see that this demand is realized.” Martin said.

In April this year, women groups had sent a letter to different actors including IGAD, AU and Troika to appoint a female mediator to the South Sudan peace talks.