By Yiep Joseph
A civil society activist is calling on the African Union (AU) to expedite the establishment of the hybrid court for South Sudan.
While attending the 8th Edition of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy Forum in Mauritius, Ter Manyang, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), reminded AU to speed up the process, citing the need for accountability to enhance genuine reconciliation in the country.
“Civil society organizations like the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) and the rest of CSOs are pushing for the African Union to establish the Hybrid Court for South Sudan,” Ter said.
The event is meant to equip leaders and civil society to ensure justice prevails in their various countries.
According to Ter, making those who committed crimes accountable would pave the way for genuine reconciliation.
“That’s the only way for us and victims, survivors of conflict, to accept reconciliation,” he said.
He added that lack of the hybrid court would encourage the perpetrators of crimes during the conflict to enjoy impunity in the country, a move that may obstruct reconciliation.
“Without accountability, there is no peace reconciliation at the end of the day. This will encourage perpetrators to enjoy impunity in the country,” he said.
Chapter 5 of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement calls for the establishment of three transitional justice mechanisms, including the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.
While there have been no recent updates on the establishment of the court, earlier this month, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) passed two Transitional Justice Bills that would pave the way for a hybrid court to address crimes committed during the conflict.
The Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing Bill 2024 and the Compensation and Reparation Authority Bill 2024 were meant to provide justice and reparations to victims.
The AU-led hybrid court is meant to ensure justice and reparations for victims affected by the conflict that erupted in December 2013 and 2016.
It will have the mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for serious crimes committed since December 2013, including deliberate killing of civilians, rape and other sexual violence, forced recruitment of children, forced displacements, and other atrocities.