South Sudan civil society groups urge swift formation of truth commission
Credit: Rights for Peace
South Sudan’s Transitional Justice Working Group and South Sudan Civil Society Forum on Thursday urged the government to speed up the appointment of commissioners and operationalization of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing.
In a joint statement, the groups welcomed the African Union’s submission of nominees for non-South Sudanese commissioners, calling it an important step toward establishing one of the transitional justice mechanisms provided for under the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
The groups said the commission represents an opportunity for South Sudan to address its legacy of conflict, human rights violations and other abuses while promoting truth, accountability, reconciliation and healing.
They said the commission’s establishment should be transparent and inclusive and reflect the concerns of victims, survivors, affected communities and the wider South Sudanese population.
The groups also commended the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for guiding the selection panel through the interviews and selection of prospective commissioners. They said the ministry had demonstrated a willingness to engage civil society and other stakeholders on transitional justice issues.
However, the groups warned that further delays could undermine public confidence and the credibility of South Sudan’s broader transitional justice process.
They called on the government and relevant institutions, including the ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Cabinet Affairs, and Justice and Constitutional Affairs, to complete the remaining steps needed to appoint the commissioners and establish the commission.
The groups urged authorities to expedite the appointment process, submit the full list of nominees to the Cabinet and Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly for consideration and approval, and formally constitute and operationalize the commission.
They also called for the remaining stages to be transparent, inclusive and participatory and to comply with the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Act, 2024.
The Transitional Justice Working Group and South Sudan Civil Society Forum said they were ready to work with the government, African Union, development partners, victims’ groups and other civil society organizations to support the establishment of a credible and inclusive truth commission.
