A recent UN report highlights severe human rights violations in South Sudan, pointing to impunity among political leaders as a critical issue undermining peace efforts. The report details violence against civilians and systemic corruption, calling for urgent reforms. Key recommendations include adherence to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to ensure governance accountability and support for essential institutions.
The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has released a report demanding that South Sudan’s political leaders confront rampant impunity and corruption, crucial for the country’s political transition. The 24-page report, presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, outlines ongoing gross human rights violations despite peace commitments from leaders. Commissioner Yasmin Sooka criticized the ongoing violence and said officials have failed their citizens post-independence.
The report outlines that armed forces and militias inflicted severe violence against civilians based on ethnic affiliations in locations such as Tambura in 2024. Political leaders are found complicit in exacerbating conflict dynamics and carry on without accountability for previously committed atrocities. Endemic problems such as sexual violence, forced recruitment and abduction of children persist, highlighting the failure to safeguard the future generation, according to Sooka.
Commissioner Barney Afako noted the lack of accountability undermines governance, contributing to systemic issues linked to the misuse of national resources. The Commission emphasizes the necessity of adhering to institutional-building aspects of the Revitalized Peace Agreement to maintain stability. He called for dedicated efforts to fulfill commitments including the establishment of a sustainable constitution.
Extending the transitional arrangements must lead to substantive action rather than serving as an excuse for continued obstructions. The report identifies serious funding gaps despite governments amassing significant revenues, especially from oil, while hospitals and courts remain underfunded. Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández urged that addressing corruption is imperative to ensure citizens receive justice and essential services.
The report criticizes the introduction of the controversial “Green Book” law in Warrap, permitting extrajudicial killings. This law has fostered a culture of lawlessness and selective justice, primarily targeting specific communities during conflicts. Fernández condemned the government’s support for such provisions, which exacerbate tensions and insisted on the necessity for immediate judicial support in Warrap to avert future violence.
Concludively, the Commissioners engaged with survivors during a recent visit, confronting the dire human rights situation. Sooka reiterated the alarming state of repression and lack of political commitment to halt gross human rights violations. The report calls for urgent reforms to neglected institutions that are crucial for recovery and development in South Sudan.
The UN Commission’s report underscores the critical need for South Sudan’s leaders to confront corruption and impunity to protect human rights and ensure political stability. Violent ethnic conflicts and systemic human rights abuses continue unchecked. The ongoing neglect of essential services highlights the urgency of implementing reforms to foster accountability and justice. Without significant changes, the country risks perpetuating cycles of violence and instability.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
