A South Sudanese political analyst on Saturday dismissed claims made by Vice President Josephine Joseph Lagu Yanga at the United Nations General Assembly, saying her portrayal of peace, governance and women’s representation was not reflective of the situation in the country.
In her speech Thursday on behalf of South Sudan’s transitional government, Lagu told delegates that the implementation of a 2018 peace agreement was “about 60 percent executed,” delivering “relative peace” and enabling “many South Sudanese to return from refugee camps.” She also said women’s participation in government had reached 40%, surpassing the 35% quota in the peace deal.
Boboya James Edmond, a Juba-based policy and political analyst, described those statements as containing “significant inaccuracies.”
“Most government offices are filled by men. There is zero female representation among governors and commissioners, and women account for maybe 15 to 18 percent in senior positions,” Edmond told Radio Tamazuj.
He said peace remains fragile, citing localized clashes and insecurity. “Peace right now is not holding anymore, because there are pockets of conflict almost in every part of South Sudan,” he said.
On the issue of refugees, Edmond said the government’s narrative was “inaccurate.” He asserted that tens of thousands of South Sudanese continue to flee abroad.
“Seventy to eighty thousand South Sudanese are entering camps almost every six months, particularly in Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Some who returned from places like Yei are going back as refugees,” he said.
Edmond also criticized Lagu’s reference to economic progress, noting the government has not passed a national budget as required by law. He pointed to a lack of accountability, citing the absence of a long-promised hybrid court for war crimes and the harassment of opposition figures.
Lagu, who represents the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) in the power-sharing government, was appointed one of the country’s five vice presidents in February. She previously served as minister of agriculture and is leading the government delegation to the U.N. meeting in New York.
Edmond said the vice president’s speech had generated significant criticism online from South Sudanese citizens.