Kiir told to expedite formation of human rights advisory council

JUBA – A local advocacy group in South Sudan has urged the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit to expedite the formation of an inclusive National Human Rights Advisory Council provided for in the country’s revitalized peace agreement.

In a statement, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed the visit of the chair of South Sudan UN Human Rights Commission Yasmin Sooka who arrived along with the chair of the UN Human Rights in Ugandan this week and called on South Sudan to expedite the formation of the rights council.

“South Sudan government should expedite the formation of an inclusive national human rights advisory council, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO),” the CEPO said in a statement extended to Sudans Post.

“Community Empowerment for Progress Organization welcomes the visiting UN Human Rights experts, hoping that their visit will contribute to the actualization of transitional justice mechanisms in South Sudan,” Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of CEPO said in a statement.

In his New Year’s message last December, Kiir said the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) would establish a Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) by end of January.

“We will be embarking on the process of establishing the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH) by the end of January 2022,” President Kiir said, adding “It is important to initiate this process so that our people can know the truth about what took place during the war and use it as the basis for peace building, reconciliation, and social stability”.

According to Yakani, beginning the transitional justice process in South Sudan offers great opportunity to transform society from violence to peace.

“It is essential that the political leadership of the country take serious primary responsibility for making the transitional justice in South Sudan real and without any form of restrictions. Delivering timely political commitment and a genuine realization of transitional justice is paramount,” he stressed.

Chapter V of Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) deals with Transitional Justice and the establishment of mechanisms to promote accountability, truth, reconciliation and healing in South Sudan.