Civil society leader urges swift implementation of transitional justice laws

JUBA – South Sudanese activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed the signing of key bills aimed at creating transitional justice institutions, calling on President Salva Kiir to ensure they are swiftly implemented to help rebuild trust and support political transition in the country.

Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), praised the president for enacting legislation that establishes the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA), two bodies intended to address atrocities committed during South Sudan’s years of conflict.

“Transitional justice is fundamental to laying the foundation for a sustainable political transition,” Yakani said in a statement shared with Sudans Post. He urged Kiir to “expedite the establishment of these transitional justice institutions by December 2024, as a Christmas gift.”

Yakani also called for non-partisan and credible appointments to the CTRH and CRA, emphasizing that appointees should have no records of rights abuses or corruption.

“The selection of commissioners for the CTRH and CRA must involve a thorough human rights due diligence assessment, including the representation of persons with disabilities and women through a 35% affirmative action quota,” he said.

Yakani underscored the need for victims’ involvement in the process and urged protection for both witnesses and perpetrators to ensure transparency and accountability. He added that CEPO plans to launch civic education initiatives to raise public awareness about the transitional justice framework under the new laws.

President Kiir signed into law six major bills on Monday, marking a milestone in South Sudan’s reform process.

In addition to the CTRH and CRA acts, the new legislation includes the Tourism Act 2024, an amendment to the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act 2011, the National Bureau of Statistics Act 2018 (Amendment Act 2024), and the Civil Aviation Authority Act 2012 (Amendment Act 2024).

Justice Minister Ruben Madol Arol Kachuol, who presented the bills for signing, commended the extensive consultations with stakeholders that paved the way for the legislative reforms.

Separately, Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), urged the Transitional Government of National Unity to ensure the swift appointment of CTRH commissioners to operationalize the commissions promptly.

“There is a need to expedite the appointment of seven commissioners so that these two commissions can be operationalized in the country,” Gatwech told Sudans Post, calling for politically neutral individuals to oversee the transitional justice processes.

The CTRH is tasked with investigating human rights abuses, war crimes, and other atrocities, while the CRA will manage reparations for victims. Both institutions are considered crucial for South Sudan’s path toward peace and reconciliation after years of civil war.