East African bloc eyes accountability in South Sudan

By Parach Mach

Juba, South Sudan (AA) - East African regional trade bloc Monday said it would prioritize accountability in South Sudan in an attempt to end years-long civil war in the country.

The block -- Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) -- held its 58th extraordinary summit of the member states’ foreign ministers Monday.

Workneh Gebeyehu, chairman of IGAD Council of Ministers, in the opening remarks, said that the summit would work towards implementation of the transitional justice, a mechanism to put in place the truth and reconciliation process, and reparation of the victims in the conflict.

The South Sudan civil war that began in December 2013 has resulted in massive violations of human rights and unlawful killings. About 3 million have been displaced, with at least 1 million fleeing to neighboring countries, while others remain in “civilian protection” zones.

“Everyone that has committed atrocities and human rights abuses must be held accountable, this is not going to be a business as usual, we regional leaders must prioritize accountability so that it can achieve lasting peace and avoid another cycle of destabilizing violence,” he said.

Ambassador Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan, said the establishment of hybrid court provides the best path towards ending the conflict.

In 2015, a peace deal to address rights abuses called for the establishment of a hybrid court, which will combine elements of both domestic and international law and be composed of personnel from South Sudan and abroad.

“Without peace in South Sudan, there can be no peace in the region, so this continued fighting worries regional leaders,” Wais added.

However, South Sudan’s government said the establishment of the hybrid court will undermine peace, insisting that the implementation of the transitional justice at this time would never bring peace and stability in the country.

Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan’s information minister told Anadolu Agency, that the government prefers peace over establishment of the hybrid court.

“We need peace first before the transitional justice and establishment of hybrid court, this has been our position and if we pursue justice at the expense of peace we will not have both,” Lueth said.