Students from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Working Group on the Nobel Peace Prize are nominating South Sudanese women’s and human rights activist Alokiir Malual for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Malual has worked for many years to advance peace, dialogue and women’s participation in the peace process in South Sudan.
The working group was initiated by Professor of International Security Wolfgang Wagner and, this year, led by John Hogan, Assistant Professor of International Relations. Together with students, the group studies the history and politics of the Nobel Peace Prize each year and explores potential candidates. This year, the group unanimously chose to nominate Alokiir Malual. “This nomination highlights the importance of women’s leadership in peace processes and recognises Aguer’s long-standing work for dialogue, inclusion and sustainable peace,” Hogan says.
Who is Alokiir Malual?
Since South Sudan’s independence, the country has faced ongoing instability and violence. In 2013, a civil war broke out. Malual was one of the first women involved in the peace process and signed several key peace agreements. In the years that followed, she continued to push for their implementation, especially when tensions rose and violence threatened to flare up again.
Against the backdrop of severe humanitarian crises in South Sudan, she works, often in dangerous circumstances, for human dignity and democratic ideals, such as elections. Malual also places a strong emphasis on the position and recognition of women in the peace and political process. She calls on women to take part, to be visible, and to be formally recognised for their contributions. Master’s student in Political Science Grace Maresca, explains the nomination: “We nominated her because she shows what real leadership looks like: standing up for dignity, even when it is dangerous. She gives a voice to the women and citizens of South Sudan who are too often not heard. A Nobel Peace Prize would be a well-deserved recognition of this.”
“Gives our efforts greater visibility”
In response to the nomination, Malual writes that she feels deeply honoured and is grateful to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for its confidence in her work. “The nomination gives our efforts greater visibility and helps strengthen ongoing work for dialogue, equality and sustainable peace, both locally and globally.”
A VU tradition
The Working Group on the Nobel Peace Prize is an annual tradition within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. This year, the group was larger than ever: ten students from different programmes worked together with lecturers on the nomination. Hogan: “Later this year, we will hold the official ceremony at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam where we will formally nominate Alokiir Malual. We will share more details about this soon.”