South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Simon Deng
The Deputy Head of Mission of the African Union in South Sudan, Prosper Addo on Thursday called on the transitional unity government to implement transitional justice mechanisms to address the legacies of conflict and as well promote peace and national reconciliation.
“Transitional justice is essential in addressing crimes and violations of the past, it helps establish the truth, reconcile victims, survivors and perpetrators. It also provides for healing, getting compensation and reparation for abuses suffered either through past conflicts or dictatorial tendencies of past authoritarian regimes,” said Addo during the opening of the two- day workshop on transitional justice at Pyramid Hotel in Juba.
Addo noted that transitional justice mechanisms are critical in the peacebuilding process in South Sudan, adding that if implemented they would help establish accurate and impartial historical record of human right violations.
Gabriel Isaac Awow, the Undersecretary for Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs said they have already established the Commission on Truth, Healing and Reconciliation and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA) as stipulated in chapter 5 of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
“We have drafted the law for truth, healing and reconciliation commission and the compensation and reparation authority, it is before the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) awaiting to be passed by lawmakers,” he said.
Agatha Ndonga, the Head of the International Center for Transitional Justice, said that traditional justice mechanisms incorporate some elements of transitional justice, that are relevant to sustainable peace and development in South Sudan.
“This mechanism does play key role in resolving dispute or mending relationship to realize the much sought after communal reconciliation and cohesion,” she said.
The national Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in collaboration with the non-profit International Centre for Transitional Justice organized the two-day sensitization and training workshop on transitional justice for South Sudan customary and informal justice sector leaders.
South Sudan is seeking to recover from years of conflict since outbreak in December 2013.
The conflict which killed tens of thousands and displaced millions internally and externally, erupted following political disagreement between President Salva Kiir and his then Vice President Riek Machar leading to a split within the national army.