![Activist Edmund Yakani speaks during the ceremony to extend the transitional period for 24 months on August 5, 2022. [Photo by presidency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/296167924_1115103562451035_6690879285386675132_n.jpg?resize=960%2C540&ssl=1)
The government on Friday passed, during a cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir, the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH), and Compensation and Reparations Authority (CRA), bills. Both bills are provided for in the revitalized peace agreement.
“These two bills are by the provision of the peace agreement. The commission and authority will provide compensation for those who deserve compensation and those who have suffered and been affected by the conflict,” government spokesman and information minister Michael Makuei Lueth told journalists following the cabinet meeting yesterday.
In a statement extended to Sudans Post this evening, CEPO welcomed the passage of the bills and described the government move as a “long-awaited” step in the implementation process of chapter five of the revitalized peace agreement.
“CEPO appreciates and welcomes the passage of the CTRH and CRA bills, 2023 by the cabinet, this is long awaited legislations on the genuine implementation of the Chapter 5 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” the statement said.
“CEPO appreciates the effective response of the cabinet on our advocacy,” it added.
Edmund Yakani, CEPO’s Executive Director, said that the civil society organization’s Transitional Justice Resources Centers (TJRC) will conduct public consultations across South Sudan’s ten states and three administrative areas on the two bills.
“CEPO transitional Justice Resources Centers will be rolling out public consultations on the passing of the two bills. CEPO is urging the public for an effective participation during the public consultations and the public consultations will involve the constituency of the persons with disabilities too,” he said.
“The public consultations/hearings that will be facilitate by CEPO Transitional Justice Resources Centers will be aiming at sensitizing the public and generating the public inputs for submission to the national parliament during the parliamentary public hearings on the bills,” he added.
The outspoken civil society activist further said that “Genuine, inclusive and progressive legislation on the Transitional justice is required in South Sudan.”
“Hope that this spirit of positivity on championing transitional justice demonstrated by the national government cabinet will continue with any hindrance and the same spirit will be exercise for operationalizing the mechanism of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan in the collaboration of the South Sudan Government and African Union. If this spirit is sustained and made as proactive engagement by the parliament, it will be a great act for bringing the citizens at the center of transitional justice in South Sudan.” Yakani stressed
The statement further said that the organization, in partnership with Light for the World, will engage persons with disabilities “to make effective inputs on mainstreaming inclusive language and approaches for provisions of inclusive transitional justice in South Sudan.”
“Timely and genuine transitional justice process are required in South Sudan for repairing the broken social fabric, embracement of reconciliation, healing, justice and accountability. The step of the national government cabinet passing CTRH and CRA bills for parliamentary readings is a good beginning for laying down foundation for transitional justices,” the statement added.
