CEPO Urges President to Enact Transitional Justice Laws for National Healing

In a bid to foster healing and reconciliation in South Sudan, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) is calling on President Kiir to sign crucial transitional justice legislations into law. The Commission for Truth, Healing and National Reconciliation (CTHR) legislation and Compensations and Reparation Authority (CRA) legislation have successfully passed the National Legislative Assembly and await presidential approval.

Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, emphasized the vital role of transitional justice in the country’s political transition, stating, “There can be no genuine political transition without a functioning transitional justice process. Addressing past injustices and human rights violations is essential to prevent further violence during future civic and political engagements.”

Highlighting the urgency of these legislations, Mr. Yakani stressed the need to rebuild the fractured social fabric of South Sudan and ensure trust and confidence among the populace. He cautioned against politicizing the establishment of transitional justice institutions, underscoring their unique and essential nature in promoting national healing.

CEPO’s Transitional Justice Resources Center has set a timeline for President Kiir to sign the legislations into law from October 1st to October 30th, 2024. The organization believes that institutionalizing the CTHR and CRA will pave the way for a comprehensive transitional justice process, including the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS).

The push by CEPO for the swift enactment of these laws underscores the critical need for robust transitional justice mechanisms to foster peace and stability in South Sudan.