UN South Sudan rights chair concerned about possible atrocity crimes News
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UN South Sudan rights chair concerned about possible atrocity crimes

Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, Friday presented the Sixth Report of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan before the Human Rights Council.

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 and in 2013 descended into a civil war that lasted five years. In 2018, rival leaders came together for the first time and, in September of that year, signed a peace agreement between the government and the opposition leaders. The agreement aimed to create a transitional government to be led by President Salva Kiir with Riek Machar as the First Vice President and four additional Vice Presidents.

In her statement to the Human Rights Council, Sooka emphasised that, while important provisions of the revitalised peace agreement have not yet been implemented, organizing planned elections could worsen the situation in the country. The conflict in South Sudan has already created the largest refugee crisis in the African region. The dire conditions were worsened by the heavy rainfall, floods and renewed violence in 2021.

According to Sooka, international aid to South Sudan has also been poached by the predatory political elites without consideration of the welfare of citizens. In Tambura, political conflict has led to ethnic conflict which has resulted in numerous shootings, rapes and displacing over 100,000 people.

Additionally, sexual violence against women and girls in the region is widespread. In response to this violence and the impunity of the perpetrators, the Commission made concerted efforts to encourage work on transitional justice.

The Sixth Report highlighted the tasks which must immediately be undertaken by the members of the government for the country to work towards developing a permanent constitution and conducting elections. In her statement, Sooka highlighted that nearly 14 of the UN risk factors for atrocity crimes are already present in South Sudan. Thus, there is an urgent need for action.