South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The South Sudan Civil Society Forum and the Transitional Justice Working Group called on the parties to the revitalized agreement to refrain from politicizing the transitional justice process. This includes the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA).
Jackline Nasiwa, the Deputy Chairperson of the South Sudan Civil Society Forum, urged the transitional government to promptly establish the transitional justice institutions.
“We believe that the CTRH, with its inclusion of leaders from South Sudan and across Africa, has the potential to serve as a moral voice and trusted body capable of addressing not only our historical grievances but also the current political and security crisis,” said Nasiwa on Thursday at the Imperial Plaza Hotel during the closing of the two-day workshop on transitional justice.
Nasiwa revealed that civil society members have identified their representatives to serve on the CTRH selection panel, adding that they will formally submit names to the Ministry of Justice for appointment.
“We also suggest that the representatives on the selection panel be tasked with initiating consultations with their respective stakeholder groups to identify representation for the CRA board,” she said.
“The transitional justice process requires a conducive environment so that survivors can feel confident sharing their experiences without fear of reprisal, and reconciliation efforts can reach grassroots populations across the country. We respectfully call upon IGAD to advance the selection process and ensure that the selection of CTRH and CRA leadership is conducted transparently and with full participation from stakeholders,” she said.
Nasiwa emphasized that the government must earmark adequate funding for the operationalization of CTRH and CRA, and ensure that funds are released in a timely manner once appointments are finalized.
“Instruct political parties and affiliated entities to refrain from politicizing the transitional justice process, and issue a clear warning that interference will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate sanctions. Localize the transitional justice process to ensure it reaches grassroots communities across the country and does not remain an elite-driven exercise concentrated in Juba,” she said.
Nasiwa also urged the government to engage with the AU on the hybrid court, noting that constructive dialogue with the African Union is required to determine a concrete path forward for the establishment of the hybrid court for South Sudan.
“Finally, despite the difficult political and security context in which this process is unfolding, we remain hopeful that, if constituted in an impartial, credible, and well-resourced manner, the transitional justice mechanism can restore trust among citizens, promote accountability, and lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and just South Sudan.
In December 2024, President Salva Kiir Mayardit assented to the Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Bill, 2024, and the Compensation and Reparation Authority Bill, 2024.”
The workshop was organized by the South Sudan Civil Society Forum and the Transitional Justice Working Group, with support from UNDP, the International Centre for Transitional Justice, and UNMISS.
