Transitional Justice Takes Center Stage in South Sudan: CEPO Calls for Swift Legislative Action
Juba – Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), has issued a heartfelt appeal to the leadership of South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly to expedite the presentation of crucial transitional justice bills aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation in the post-conflict nation.
In an official statement, Yakani expressed his appreciation for the legislative process that has allowed for the swift passage of two pivotal bills: the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Healing and Reconciliation, and the Compensation and Reparation Authority. “The spirit in which these bills have been approved reflects a commitment towards healing our nation,” Yakani noted.
Yakani is now urging the Right Honorable Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly and the Honorable Chairperson for the Peace and Reconciliation Committee to present these bills to His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit as soon as possible for his signature into law. “Without functioning transitional justice mechanisms, we cannot succeed in our political transitional process. Transitional justice is a cornerstone of any successful political transition in a post-conflict situation,” he emphasized.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Yakani made a direct appeal to President Kiir, urging him to act quickly once the bills are presented. “We wish that His Excellency will speed up the signing of these bills into law, and we urge him to ensure that the establishment of the institutions for transitional justice follows a transparent and non-partisan process,” Yakani stressed.
He underscored the importance of appointing individuals of high credibility and integrity to lead the new institutions. “We have seen how politicization undermined public trust in previous commissions, such as the National Election Commission and the Constitutional Review Commission,” he cautioned. Yakani’s statement reflects a growing concern among citizens regarding the need for genuine reform and the establishment of credible institutions that truly represent the interests of the nation.
“As we move forward, it is imperative that the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Healing and Reconciliation and the Compensation and Reparation Authority does not follow the same pattern of politicization we have seen in the past,” Yakani concluded.
With significant strides in legislation under discussion, the eyes of the nation remain on the leadership to embrace a future of peace, accountability, and healing as South Sudan continues its journey toward stability.The leaders who will occupy various position in the Commission and in the compensation authority should be nonpartisan and they should be people of high integrity before our citizen.
They should not be implicated in any corruption or embezzlement of public funds or human rights violation.
So due diligence in regards to respect of human rights should be exercised in the appointment of the commissioners to these two transitional justice institutions, the Commission for Truth, Healing and Reconciliation compensation.
