Parliament pushes two bills to third reading

By Awan Achiek

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Wednesday passed the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Bill 2023 and Compensation and Reparation Authority Bill 2023 to third reading.

Bona Deng Lawrence, Chairperson of the Specialized Committee on Peace and Reconciliation on Wednesday, presented the two bills which had initially been tabled before the TNLA for the first reading by Ruben Madol Arol, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in December 2023.

Deng said that the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Bill aims to establish a commission that will spearhead efforts to address the legacy of conflict and promote peace and national reconciliation and healing.

He noted that the Compensation and Reparation Authority Bill is one of the transitional justice bills which aim to govern matters and process for compensation and reparation, and to identify aggrieved persons eligible for reparation and establish the fund.

For his part, Oliver Mori Benjamin, Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee for Information and Communication and also parliament spokesperson, said the MPs unanimously passed the two bills to the third reading stage.

Mori said the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Bill comprises about seven chapters, while the Compensation and Reparation Authority Bill consists of five chapters which are all in conformity with the 2018 revitalized peace agreement and the constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as amended.

“The population of South Sudan really needs this reconciliation because of the war, we have wronged each other and therefore there is need for us really to reconcile, to forgive one another as people of South Sudan,” Mori said.

He said that war compensation is crucial for families who have lost their beloved ones during the 2013 and 2016 conflicts which led to destruction of properties.

“The first step is really when the population of South Sudan reconcile to one another, starting from our top leadership to the grassroots, and even starting with us here as members of the parliament, that reconciliation is needed and people really need to move to the grassroots to talk to them about the importance of reconciliation,” Mori explained.