A group of South Sudanese women carrying their loved ones. |Courtesy: BORGEN Magazine|.
A delegation from the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has commenced a five-day visit to Kenya to engage with a range of stakeholders, focusing on advancing human rights and ensuring accountability for the human rights violations in South Sudan.
Led by Yasmin Sooka, the Chair, and Barney Afako, a member of the Commission, the delegation will meet senior Kenyan government officials, representatives from international organizations, and civil society groups.
Discussions will center on the importance of upholding human rights and preventing the deterioration of the situation in South Sudan, as well as consolidating the role of justice and accountability in the peace process.
The commission will highlight the importance of regional support for South Sudan’s transition, particularly from Kenya, which plays a key role as a guarantor of the peace and transition process.
Additionally, the Commission will advocate for strong support of South Sudan’s efforts to establish a reliable and independent judicial system in accordance with the recommendations of the Judicial Review Commission, including the establishment of effective and impartial institutions capable of upholding the rule of law and human rights across the country.
The delegation intends to meet various stakeholders involved in the resumed mediation dialogue in Nairobi, known as the Tumaini Initiative, between the Government of South Sudan and hold-out groups to the Revitalized Agreement for Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), 2018.
The Commission will encourage all involved in the Tumaini Initiative to incorporate transitional justice measures as an integral element of the ongoing talks, ensuring accountability, truth-telling, and redress for victims, which are essential for lasting peace in South Sudan.
