South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, but deadly fighting broke out in late 2013 between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to his rival, Riek Machar.
While a peace deal ended the war and a unity government was established, tensions erupted earlier this year following the arrest of Machar, first vice president and main opposition leader.
Peace progress stalled
The Commission said South Sudan’s political leaders have deliberately halted progress towards peace, despite a decade of efforts by the AU and regional actors.
Armed clashes are currently taking place on a scale not seen since the cessation of hostilities in 2017, and civilians are bearing the brunt of human rights violations and displacement.
Furthermore, “the vacuum of justice and accountability continues to fuel political intransigence, impunity, conflict and corruption.”
A recent Commission report highlighted how corruption and the diversion of public resources remain a key driver of conflict.
Leadership failure
Barney Afako, who led the mission, said the current political crisis, increasing fighting and “rampant systemic corruption” reflected a failure of leadership.
“Unless there is immediate, sustained and coordinated political engagement from the region, South Sudan risks falling back into full-scale conflict with unimaginable consequences for the human rights of its people and the region as a whole.” said.
“South Sudanese hope that the African Union and the region will rescue them from an avoidable fate,” he added.
Search for justice
In discussions with AU officials, the Commission emphasized the urgent need to establish transitional justice mechanisms outlined in the peace agreement, particularly the Hybrid Court.
“More than ever, justice is essential for South Sudan,“said Yasmin Sooka, president of the Commission.”Promises made to victims years ago remain unfulfilled.”
He said the Hybrid Court must create accountability for past crimes while strengthening justice institutions.
Growing clashes
The Commission noted that South Sudanese are fleeing again due to renewed armed clashes. Approximately 300,000 people have fled the country this year alone, while countries in the region host more than 2.5 million South Sudanese refugees.
Meanwhile, some two million people are displaced within South Sudan, which is also hosting some 560,000 refugees who have fled the war in neighboring Sudan.
“Increasing armed clashes, mass displacement and the fracture of a peace agreement signed seven years ago demonstrate that South Sudan cannot be rebuilt without stability and justice,” said Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández.
Highlighting the need for “credible and independent mechanisms for justice and accountability,” he said “tThe AU and its regional partners must act now, not only to avoid another war, but also to lay the foundations for a just peace, based on the rule of law.“
About the Commission
The South Sudan Human Rights Commission was established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2016.
The three commissioners are not UN staff and are not paid for their work. They are supported by a secretariat based in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Floods affect thousands
Meanwhile, the UN and its partners continue to deliver food, water and other life-saving assistance to people affected by heavy flooding across South Sudan caused by heavy rains and rising water levels along the Nile River.
The number of affected people has increased from 380,000 three weeks ago to almost 890,000, with the majority in Jonglei and Unity states, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Monday.
Almost a third of those affected have been displaced and are seeking refuge on higher ground.
“The floods have caused extensive damage to homes, crops, schools, health facilities and roads and other critical infrastructure, further complicating humanitarian access,” OCHA said, noting that some flooded areas in the south are now only accessible by canoe.
Humanitarian actors continue to provide assistance, including shelter, food and nutrition support, cash assistance, health services, and water and sanitation, as well as sandbags and other flood control materials.
OCHA warned that above-average rainfall is expected in most parts of South Sudan, which will increase flood risks.
The situation unfolds amid dwindling support for humanitarian efforts in the country. A $1.7 billion plan to help about 5.4 million people this year is only 30 percent funded at $504 million, more than 40 percent less than at the same time last year.