South Sudan begun public consultations in preparation for formation of a Truth Commission (CTRH)

The government has stated that countrywide public consultations would begin next week to develop legislation for the formation of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH), as envisaged in the 2018 peace deal.

Reuben Madol Arol, the minister of justice and constitutional affairs, told the press today in Juba that a technical group charged with preparing for the consultations has concluded its work.

“I have requested his excellency, the president of the republic, to initiate the national public consultation, the results of which will form the foundation for the passage of legislation for the formation of the CTRH under the terms of Article 5.1.1 of the R-ARCSS,” he stated.

“I, therefore, invite your excellencies the vice presidents of the republic, national ministries, state governors, diplomatic corps, IGAD, RJMEC, AU, and representatives of UN agencies in South Sudan to attend the launching at Freedom Hall on Tuesday, April 5th, 2022, at 10 a.m.”

Madol stated that the government reaffirmed its commitment to establishing transitional justice mechanisms by requesting that the Justice Ministry take the necessary steps to establish the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing to investigate and document patterns of human rights violations and conflict causes in South Sudan.

“By the provisions of Chapter 5 article 5.2.1.3 of the R-ARCSS, the R-TGoNU triggered the implementation of Chapter 5 and mandated the ministry of justice and constitutional affairs to establish a technical committee to conduct a national consultation, which was launched by his excellency the First Vice President of the republic and chair of the governance cluster on 30th June 2021,” he said.

The Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH), a Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS), and a Compensation and Reparation Authority are all mentioned in Chapter 5 of the Revitalised Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) (CRA).

The public discussions are intended to last at least one month before the foundation of the CTRH, according to the agreement. The consultations must guarantee that the experiences of women, men, girls, and boys are adequately recorded and that the results of such consultations are integrated into the resulting law.