The South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSuNDE) "commends the signatories for signing the cessation of hostilities" in South Sudan, in a Jan. 27 statement. SSuNDE, a nonpartisan civil society group and NDI partner, urges the signatories to "commit themselves to the signed peace agreement without violation, find a pathway for the remaining outstanding issues to be discussed, and build confidence in the mediating team."

See the full statement or read below.

While women in Guatemala have slowly been making political gains, a new report by NDI and UN Women shows that a significant gender gap persists. The report, Between Challenge and Reality: Women and Political Participation in Guatemala, examines the progress made in recent elections, some obstacles women face and potential areas for improvement.

Nepali women had much to be proud of as 172 of them were seated in the country’s new Constituent Assembly on Jan. 22. They filled 30 percent of the 575 seats that were contested during parliamentary elections last fall.

In addition to traditional lawmaking, the Constituent Assembly is tasked with drafting Nepal’s new constitution, making the presence of the women especially important.