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South Sudan President Salva Kiir is set to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission alongside the country’s first Vice President Riek Machar, Africa Newshas indicated.
In a joint article published by the New York Times, the Sudanese leaders claimed to be committed to ensuring that their country never again sees the horrors of war.
“Bringing South Sudan together can be truly guaranteed only through one route: an organised peace and reconciliation process with international backing.
“Disciplinary justice – even if delivered under international law – would destabilise efforts to unite our nation by keeping alive anger and hatred among the people of South Sudan,” the pair wrote.
South Sudan erupted into civil war three years ago after Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup, sacking his vice president in the process.
The aftermath included a series of retaliatory killings that divided the country while leaving scores dead in its wake.
Although timelines have yet to be established, the commission was planned to mimic the style of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) set up by South Africa after the fall of Apartheid.
According to this model, victims and witnesses of human rights violations would appear before a public hearing to give testimony on their experiences.
Perpetrators of crimes would also be provided a chance to testify and request possible amnesty from prosecution.
However, according to BBC, the human rights group had since dismissed the move as a “self-serving” attempt by the two leaders to evade justice.
