23rd April, 2014
The African Union (AU) Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan has embarked on a 10-day mission to the country amidst renewed violence in parts of the country’s oil rich regions.
The field mission is an effort to end the three-month political conflict in the young country.
The African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCISS), led by former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, arrived in Juba on Monday night, a statement by the AU media relations said.
Listed as members of the inquiry are Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, Ms. Bineta Diop, Prof. Pacifique Manirakiza and Lady Justice Sophia Akuffo and AUC technical support team.
While in Juba, the commission will investigate human rights violations and other abuses committed during the armed conflict in South Sudan. This is with the aim to guarantee healing for sustainable peace and security and ensure accountability in an effort to restore peace.
The commission is expected to submit its report within a period of three months to the AU Peace and Security Council.
The commission would hold consultations with President Salva Kiir and other top government officials including the Speaker of Parliament.
Consultation will be held with the Deputy Speaker, Defence Minister, Ministers of Security, Interior, Gender and Child and Social Welfare.
The commission is scheduled to also meet with the Commander of the Presidential Guard and Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS.
The Commission will also meet with former Vice President Riek Machar and the opposition group.
“It will conduct wide-ranging meetings with stakeholders including the Chairman of South Sudan Human Rights Commission, Chairman of National Assembly Human Rights Committee and Civil Society Alliance.
“Others are the Chairman of South Sudan Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation, Church leaders and the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, among others.”
The commission was established by the AUC Chairperson, Dlamini Zuma, on 6 March in pursuant to a decision of the 411th Meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council.
Violence first broke out in South Sudan in mid-December 2013, following an alleged attempt to over-throw Salva Kiir-led administration.