Southern Sudan: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomes “first steps” towards transitional justice institutions |

03 Février 2021

LIBREVILLE, February 3 (Infosplusgabon) - The Transitional Unity Government of South Sudan announced on Friday that it would establish an African Union Hybrid Court to try human rights violations. The Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Commission and the Reparations and Reparations Authority that will administer a victim fund.

From rhetoric to results

“After more than two years of delay, the government has finally taken the first steps to initiate major transitional justice measures to address the legacy of grave human rights violations in South Sudan,” Yasmine Sokka, Chair of the Southern Sudan Human Rights Commission, He said on Monday.

And she warned that “if the government of southern Sudan wants to retain any credibility at all, the political discourse must be translated into tangible and real results.”

“Most importantly, the government must complete all processes of reconfiguring the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, which would enact domestic legislation to establish the three transitional justice mechanisms under the 2018 agreement. The committee provided benchmarks for the government on the rapid implementation of obligations under Chapter Five.”

The Commission also welcomed a statement issued by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, expressing his support for the government and people of Southern Sudan in their pursuit of peace and security.

Delay fuels conflict

Members said that the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms had been frozen due to non-compliance with the timetables of the peace agreement, delaying the formation of the new government and the completion of key appointments.

“These delays mean that the underlying causes and drivers of the conflict, including competition for resources, territorial control and political influence, have continued to fuel local conflicts, endemic corruption and economic crimes in South Sudan,” said Commissioner Andrew Clapham.

He added, “Those responsible for war crimes and ongoing human rights violations have been encouraged by a system that allows impunity for torture, enforced disappearances and atrocity crimes.”

Take immediate steps

The committee stated that the delay deprived the people of Southern Sudan of the opportunity to achieve sustainable peace, because the absence of accountability and compensation, including sexual violence, “undermines the fabric of society, generates resentment, and undermines the prospects for reconciliation and healing.”

Meanwhile, victims must continue to bear the physical, psychological, social and economic consequences.

“Given the approval of the cabinet, the government should now take immediate steps to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union and adopt the draft statute for the establishment of the hybrid court,” Commissioner Barney Avako said.

He added: “It should also start a broad and comprehensive national consultations so that South Sudan can contribute to shaping other transitional justice processes, especially the truth commission.”

The United Nations established the Commission on Human Rights in Southern Sudan Human Rights Council March 2016. Members are not United Nations employees, and the organization does not pay them their salaries.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/MLL/GABON2021