By Tiril Andersen / GICJ

The Republic of South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in 2011, making it the youngest state in the world. Two and a half years later, a vicious civil conflict broke out between Government forces, led by President Salva Kiir, and the military arm commanded by his political rival, Riek Machar. In September 2018, the two opponents signed a Revitalized Peace Agreement, which stabilized the conflict. 

However, on the 11th of February 2022, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Suda warned that some critical elements are yet to be implemented. [1] According to the Chair of the Commission, Yasmin Sooka, this includes important topics related to "security sector reform, constitutional and electoral reform, and transitional justice". Besides contributing to persistent insecurity, the lacking implementation also prevents reprisals, which allows ongoing violations. Representatives from the civil society reported that they are hesitant to speak about the human rights situation in South Sudan for fear of being punished by the security services.               

In December 2021, the UN Commission held a workshop with the Government of South Sudan to support the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement. The UN officials emphasised the importance of Chapter V, which addresses questions regarding transitional justice, reconciliation, healing and accountability. Likewise, Chapter VI was deemed important, as it relates to the development of a permanent constitution. In addition, the UN stressed the need to implement necessary provisions regarding the deployment and the unification of the armed forces. 

With the 2023 general elections approaching, the implementation of the agreement is more urgently needed. . Commissioner Barney Afako warned that "The pursuit of elections run the serious risk of fuelling violence and polarisation if the requisite institutions, constitutional and electoral laws as well as logistic arrangements are not first in place." 

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) is concerned about increasing polarization between communities and political violence in South Sudan. We call for the international community to exert pressure on the government of South Sudan to enforce the Revitalized Peace Agreement from 2018.  

South Sudan, Human Rights, Armed Conflicts, Revitalized Peace Agreement, Justice, Human Rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice

[1] https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=28109&LangID=E 

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