By Charles K Mark
Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) commends the cabinet for approving two Bills last week.
Council of Ministers approved the Commission for Truth Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) Bill and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA) Bill on Friday.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Justice Ruben Madol presented the two Bills which the R-JMEC termed their approval as a positive and welcome step.
“We congratulate RTGoNU and the top leadership on this move, indicative of its continued commitment to implementing truth reconciliation, healing, and reparations in South Sudan,” Christopher Gitari, Senior Transitional Justice Advisor for R-JMEC, told this outlet.
Mr. Gitari urged the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) to now take the next necessary steps and enact the two critical and crucial bills into acts.
“There is a great need to see South Sudan quickly establish the CTRH and CRA, which are critical mechanisms that will spearhead the realization of truth reconciliation and healing in South Sudan and the achievement of sustainable peace,” the Transitional Justice Advisor lamented.
Chapter 5 of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan provides for the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH), a Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS), and a Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA).
Once passed by parliament, Makuei said it will pave the way for the formation of the reconciliation commission, which will be open for complaints or grievances for investigation.
Makuei added that the Compensation and Reparation Authority will address issues of compensation and reparation.
The two bills are critical parts of the peace-building process in South Sudan, spearheading efforts to reconcile communities and promote peace and healing.
On Thursday, peace guarantors of the revitalized peace agreement expressed concerns over the persistent lack of political will manifested by the principal parties to the pact.