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Gov’t uses ‘investigative committees’ to conceal accountability-activist

By Yiep Joseph

Over the years, it has become a common response of governments in South Sudan, to form investigative committees to solve various issues affecting the country but no definite results have been achieved.

Ranging from conflict resolution, disaster management to other concerns, a debate sparks on effectiveness of the committees, with critics arguing that the national and state governments form committees formed to the truth.

The year 2024, like the previous years, has been marked by formation of series of committees to address serious issues across the country.

Through executive orders, the President, state governors, and other officials have established numerous committees.

However, these committees have seemingly not achieved their intended goals, with many committees concluding their investigations, but their findings are often shelved by higher authorities, effectively rendering them ineffective.

It appears that no committee has truly fulfilled its objectives, a pattern seemingly evident since the 2005 committee formed by former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to investigate the death of the late Dr. John Garang.

The primary purpose of a committee is to support the board or leadership team by handling specific tasks or areas that require dedicated attention.

Committees typically undertake detailed work, such as research, planning, or problem-solving, and present their recommendations to the larger leadership for consideration.

This seemed not to be the case in South Sudan where committee findings are often not made public.

In an interview with this outlet, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), criticized the government’s reliance on committees to address serious issues.

Yakani argued that the committees formed often produce reports that are subsequently ignored.

He urged the government to either ensure that committees are empowered to implement their recommendations or to explore alternative solutions to address challenges facing the nation.

“CEPO is urging the leadership of the country to ensure that any formed committee delivers its given mandate genuinely and timely,” he said.

“In 2024, multiple committees were established by the government for seeking accountability, transparency, and prevention of deadly violence among our communities. The majority of the committees failed to deliver their mandate,” he added.

He alleged that the government has been strategically forming committees to obstruct accountability.
“It seems the use of committees becomes a strategy by government to deny the calls for accountability and transparency,” he said.

“It is upon the leadership of the country to ensure that public demand for accountability, transparency, and prevention of deadly violence is a constitutional right of the citizens,” he added.

The activist demanded that the leadership release important information gathered from various sources. This information, he argued, is essential to identify those responsible for the ongoing crisis and facilitate peace and reconciliation.

The activist urged the presidency and other high-level officials to utilize the recently formed committee as a platform to gain a comprehensive understanding of events that may have occurred without their direct knowledge.

Yakani believe, this will enable informed decision-making towards achieving peace and promoting development.
Some committees formed in 2024.

In November 2024, Central Equatoria State Governor Augustino Jadallah Kamilo Wani formed a committee to investigate the killing of youth in Wonduruba Administrative Payam and the Jebel Iraq area.

The committee was tasked with investigating the killings and assessing the security situation as well as bringing the perpetrators to book.

The committee was to report to the office of the governor within two weeks with a report to help in proper decision-making.

Despite the gravity of the matter, with numerous lives lost, no one has been held accountable for the deaths.

While the case appears unresolved, public skepticism persists regarding whether justice will be served, reflecting the outcomes of other killings within the state and the nation where investigative committees were established.

Also in November last year, President Salva Kiir established a committee to investigate the incident at the residence of the former Director of Internal Security Breau (ISB), General Akol Koor.

The president’s order for the formation of a committee came a few days after fighting occurred at the residence of Akol Koor following what the SSPDF spokesperson said was a misunderstanding between the ex-spy chief’s bodyguards and those deployed outside his residence after he was put under house arrest.

Until today, forces have remained stationed at General Akol’s residence while the committee deliberates.

The lack of clarity regarding the next steps has engendered confusion and doubt, fueling concerns that the case may be shelved without any accountability.

The act of accountability would encompass identifying those involved and making them answerable to the law.
The committee was mandated to request and review documents relevant to the investigation and issue arrest warrants for individuals who refuse to cooperate without valid justification.

Kiir directed the committee to assess casualties and injuries among security personnel and civilians as well as evaluate any damage to property and the environment.
In May 2024, South Sudan announced emergency preparedness and formed a committee to mitigate the flood risk.
According to the government, the committee’s task is to develop emergency preparedness plans, including a budget which was to be submitted to council of ministers for deliberation.

Until now, the flood continues to battle with the poor citizens with no proper budget despite the formation of a committee to look into it.

Also, in a separate incident, the government of Western Equatoria State formed a committee to investigate violence in Tambura County.

Information and Communication Minister Elia Dominic Usini said the initiative seeks to address the causes of the conflict, restore stability, and deliver justice to the affected communities.

Despite the formation of the committee, there is still violence reported in the area.

Due to the lack of meaningful results from the committees formed to address serious issues, some members of the public have claimed that the government continues to ignore problems and deny accountability.

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