NAIROBI, Dec. 9, 2024 – A delegation from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has begun a five-day visit to Kenya to promote human rights and accountability for abuses in South Sudan.
Led by Yasmin Sooka, Chair, and Barney Afako, a member of the Commission, the delegation plans to meet Kenyan government officials, international organizations, and civil society representatives. Discussions will focus on bolstering human rights and justice as South Sudan navigates its peace process.
“Preventing further deterioration in South Sudan’s human rights situation and consolidating justice and accountability are crucial. Kenya, as a key guarantor of the peace and transition process, plays an essential role,” the Commission noted in a statement.
Key topics include judicial reforms in South Sudan, particularly recommendations by the Judicial Review Commission, which advocate for impartial institutions to uphold the rule of law and human rights nationwide.
The delegation will also participate in the Tumaini Initiative, resumed mediation talks in Nairobi between South Sudan’s government and opposition groups resistant to the 2018 Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“The Commission will emphasize the integration of transitional justice into the Tumaini Initiative to ensure accountability, truth-telling, and redress for victims, foundational for lasting peace in South Sudan,” the statement said.
Established in 2016 by the UN Human Rights Council, the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan operates independently, with three commissioners supported by a Juba-based Secretariat. Its mandate includes investigating human rights violations, reporting on crimes under national or international law, and recommending measures to prevent further abuses.
Findings are informed by interviews with victims, survivors, and experts, and aim to foster accountability and improve conditions in South Sudan.
