AU Commission of Inquiry to release its findings next month

The government has announced that the Africa Union Commission of Inquiry will release its report profiling human rights abuses committed during the ongoing conflict in South Sudan next month.

The Commission, chaired by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, was established by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, in the wake of heightened tensions and violence in South Sudan since December 15, 2013.

Speaking to journalists in Juba shortly after his arrival from Geneva, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Paulino Wanawilla said the AU Commission of Inquiry informed the High Council of Human Rights that findings from the commission’s investigations will be announced soon.

“I know that the one formed by the African Union has made a report to the Human Rights Council and they say that maybe after one month their report will be out. I don’t know about the national one, when their report is going to be out,” said Wanawilla.

He promised that the commission appointed by the government will be independent too and that the government will not interfere with its work.

“Although there was another one (commission) formed by the government, the AU Commission was working independently and we do not want to interfere in their job…And we believe that their job will be impartial,” he said.

In the course of its work, the AU Commission met and held discussions with regional and international leaders, government and opposition officials, South Sudan citizens, refugees, IDPs, and members of civil society organizations.

The Commission also visited various sites, including internally displaced people’s (IDP) camps, refugee camps in Kenya and alleged scenes of crimes in South Sudan.

The minister said the government and people of South Sudan would want to see justice done, especially to victims. He added that many atrocities have been committed in South Sudan and they must not go unpunished.