On Monday 10 February 2025, survivors of conflict-related sexual violence gathered in Juba as part of the SUNS network, and presented a statement to officials, UN agencies and donors on key next steps in establishing the South Sudan’s transitional justice mechanisms.
After several years supporting this process, two laws establishing the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA) came into force on 11 November 2024.
The Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ) and Rights for Peace, along with SUNS, the Survivors Network South Sudan, advocated to ensure that the two new mechanisms include progressive provisions to support survivors and gain their trust. While not perfect, the mechanisms have some good and innovative features. For instance, the Truth Commission can determine and administer interim reparations for victims in cases of emergency or health need.
Another positive feature is an innovative process to select the Commissioners. A Selection Panel constituted from a range of representatives of civil society and faith leaders, as well as a victims advocacy group will run a public selection process, where its shortlist will be published in the media, formally allowing the public to comment on the eligibility of candidates against a list of criteria including the commission of any .
The British Ambassador to Republic of South Sudan welcomed the gathering in a strong welcome address, emphasizing the importance of transitional justice mechanisms to be implemented correctly in order to pay just reparations for victims of sexual violence and other abhorrent war crimes. H.E. David Ashley reiterated the UK’s support for the International Criminal Court, the CTRH, and the CRA. He urged the Government to work with the African Union to now also draft legislation to establish a Hybrid Court in accordance with the 2018 Peace Agreement.
‘It is in this spirit that we are proud to support today’s event which brings together the government, legislature, civil society, faith based institutions, and survivors to drive forward progress. May I commend the work of the organisers and, particularly, the bravery and determination of the survivors’
Jackline Nasiwa, Executive Director of the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ) led the discussion, ensuring that the survivors advocates remained at its centre.
Chief Whip of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Hon. James Kueth expressed encouragement for the initiative to have a discussion and welcomed the UK and civil society’s participation. Hon. Bona Lawrence, Chairperson of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee welcomed the timely discussion with regard to the selection process in particular. They both commended and courage the engagement of survivors of conflict-related violence..
Mary Malala, National Coordinator of the Survivors Network South Sudan (SUNS) emphasised the acute need for extensive outreach and education on the mechanisms. She indicated SUNS’ keenness to be included on the CTRH panel selection, and for 50% of the Commissioners to be represented by women given the overwhelming impacts of the conflict on women. She noted that the commission should aim to complete its mandate within 6 years, to provide victims with a conclusion within a tangible time period.
Survivors from six locations across South Sudan advocated for the CTRH to be survivor-centred, and raised protection of victims and the stigma they face in their communities.
‘The government needs to support all victims of sexual violence openly, so we can testify safely and get reparations.’
They highlighted the specific needs of children born of rape to be included and recognized by the government and the CTRH.
‘Children survivors have grown into adults and now are also committing crimes’
Emmanuel Ira, the Country Director at Pax for Peace, which works with faith leaders, expressed his unwavering support for victims, urging CRSV survivors to keep being proactive.
‘I want to begin by congratulating you, this encourages more and more survivors to come out’ ‘This is very important for us’
Christine Alai from the United Nation Human Rights Commission in South Sudan (UN-HRCSS), a body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, encouraged the gathering to celebrate how far the survivors have come already, and the milestones achieved in the adoption of the two laws in November 2024:
‘The path that we are on is one worth celebrating’
‘The process has to be owned by South Sudanese people’
Mrs. Alai unpacked the selection process. The 30-day selection process includes a short 7 days for the public provide feedback on the Panel’s shortlist. She urged all stakeholders to be proactive, as the shortlisted candidates are from civil society, they should be familiar with the candidates and able to vet them. The UN HR Commissioner also suggested that they not only wait for the list but also propose alternative names. She also noted the financial challenges, and the need for technical assistance to support both the Truth Commission and Reparation Authority which are to run concurrently. Lastly, she echoed the call made on the importance of ensuring survivors' safety, as fear of reprisals could prevent people from coming forward.
Further comments were raised by the Chair of NoSSU, the Northern Ugandan Survivors’ Network, on the need to include refugees from Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia in the discussions.
Mariana Goetz, Director of Rights for Peace, thanked all partners and reiterated the words of SUNS: the Truth Commission needs to be known. Outreach can be helped by the sensitization materials prepared by CIGPJ and Rights for peace, which others are welcome to use.
Sidonia Achan, representing the Global Survivors Fund in South Sudan, described the programme ‘Supporting Survivors through Advocacy and Interim Reparative Measures (SEAR), which is funding this initiative. It has a wider remit to provide survivor-centered reparative measures to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Mundri and Bor, also serving as a learning experience on how survivor-centered reparation can be delivered.
Hon. Bona Lawrence, Chair of the Peace Building Committee in Parliament thanked civil society organizations for their support in the process, emphasizing the two key mechanisms: the CTRH, CRA. He stressed the need to ensure that victims are incorporated into the process by engaging during the 7 day period to have an effect on the selection panel.
‘Don’t hesitate to come to us. The survivors came to us on the CTRH and we listened to them.’
‘We need to make sure we are able to incorporate each and every victim in the process’
We would like to thank the Swiss Cooperation and Development Office in Juba, the UK Embassy in Juba and the EU Representation in Juba for their support, as well as the Global Survivors Fund.
View the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing Act 2024 and the Compensation and Reparation Authority Act 2024
