By Yiep Joseph
Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has called on President Salva Kiir to sign the Transitional Justice legislation into law.
Executive Director of CEPO, Edmund Yakani said President Kiir should consider signing the Bill as “Christmas gift” to the people.
The Parliament has already passed the bills for the Commission of Truth, Healing, and National Reconciliation (CTHR) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA).
However, these bills remain unsigned by the President, delaying their implementation, according to Yakani.
“CEPO is urging the president of South Sudan to offer the signing of the transitional justice passed legislation for the commission of truth, healing, and national reconciliation (CTHR) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA) into laws as a gift of Christmas in December 2024,” Yakani said.
He expressed that signing the legislation into law immediately would justify government commitment toward reconciliation and achieving justice in South Sudan.
“The nation requires to heal, tell the truth, reconcile, forgive, and get reparation for regaining trust and confidence for civic engagement on transitioning the country from violence to peace,” he said.
“The delay in signing the passed legislation of traditional justice into laws demonstrates negative attitudes towards the genuine laying of the foundation for transitioning the country towards sustainable peace and stability,” he added.
The activist said the expected general elections for December 2026 require the hearts and minds of the South Sudanese to be healed and reconciled for peaceful and trustworthy voting.
He explained that this could occur if the country’s leadership implemented and established transitional justice prior to the elections.
“CEPO Transitional Justice Resource Center is appealing to his president to engage in actions that repair the broken social fabric and regain trust and confidence for genuine citizens’ participation in the transitional process with a spirit of full national ownership,” he said.
In September, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) passed two crucial bills: the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing Bill 2024 and the Compensation and Reparation Authority Bill 2024.
Once signed into law, the Bills would pave the way for the establishment of a hybrid court to try crimes committed during South Sudan’s prolonged conflict.
After passing the bills, the parliament was to submit them to the President for study and signature. However, the legislation takes time in the parliament; fortunately, the recent submission demands immediate action.
The President is required to sign the bills into law within 30 days; otherwise, they become laws by default.
The Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing Bill seeks to establish a commission that will spearhead efforts to promote peace, national reconciliation, and healing.
The Compensation and Reparation Authority Bill aims to govern matters related to compensation and reparation, identify aggrieved persons eligible for reparations, and establish a fund for this purpose.
Chapter 5 of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement calls for the establishment of three transitional justice mechanisms, including the CRA, Hybrid Court for South Sudan, and CTRH.
These mechanisms are crucial in ensuring justice and reparations for victims affected by the conflict that erupted in December 2013.