The call to revive the implementation of stalled Transitional Justice Mechanisms in South Sudan is a crucial one, as highlighted by civil society activist Bol Deng Bol.
The agreements laid out in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, particularly in Chapter Five concerning Transitional Justice, Accountability, Reconciliation, and Healing, have yet to be fully realized.
Despite the National Conference on Transitional Justice Mechanisms held in Juba a year ago, where key stakeholders emphasized the importance of advancing transitional justice in the country, progress has been minimal.
The Bills on the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA) have faced challenges in advancing through Parliament, raising concerns about transparency in the process.
Bol Deng Bol urges the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA) to prioritize the enactment of these crucial legislations to kickstart the implementation of other resolutions from the conference. Establishing the CTRH and CRA is essential for ensuring accountability and preventing individuals implicated in violations from assuming leadership roles in the future.
It is imperative for South Sudan to uphold its commitments to transitional justice mechanisms to foster reconciliation, healing, and ultimately, sustainable peace in the nation.