OPENING REMARKS BY H.E. AMB. MAJ GEN (RTD) CHARLES TAI GITUAI, CBS, INTERIM CHAIRPERSON CONFERENCE ON TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE MECHANISMS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN: BUILDING A SOUTH SUDANESE MODEL FOR TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

MONDAY, 15 MAY 2023

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

-       Your Excellency, Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan 

-       Your Excellency, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President

-       Your Excellencies, Vice Presidents

-       Hon Tut Gatluak, Presidential Advisor on Security and Chairperson of the High Level Standing Committee of the Parties to the R-ARCSS

-       Hon Dr Martin Elia Lomuro, Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Secretary General of the High Level Standing Committee of the Parties to the R-ARCSS 

-       Hon Justice Ruben Madol Arol, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs

-       Hon Ministers 

-       Excellencies

-       Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning.

 1.   It is my pleasure this morning to speak at this auspicious conference on Transitional Justice Mechanisms in South Sudan. I would like to commend the RTGoNU for convening this event.

2.   The theme for this conference,  “Building a South Sudanese Model for Transitional Justice System” is timely and appropriate. It is important that the Transitional Justice model to be used in South Sudan is homegrown and in accordance with the people’s sense of justice.

3.   As the official oversight body, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) places great value on the importance of Chapter 5 of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), and has been encouraging the RTGoNU to fast track its implementation, given the chapter’s critical role in building sustainable peace. 

4.   Chapter 5 of the Revitalised Agreement provides broad parameters for the implementation of transitional justice, in particular truthseeking, reconciliation, healing, reparations and accountability using a range of inter-linked mechanisms. These are the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH), the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA), and the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS).  

5.   In line with the objective of this conference, it is expected that the outcome will inform and enrich the legislative process for the establishment of the CTRH and the CRA. The convening of this conference therefore is a positive step forward in the implementation of transitional justice in South Sudan. 

Your Excellency,

6.   The participation of the national, regional and international practitioners in this conference is a critical step in ensuring that the country appreciates the importance of dealing with the past, and associated challenges. In the course of this conference, South Sudan will learn from diverse experiences in other countries on Transitional Justice.

7.   This conference provides an opportunity for interaction and knowledge sharing so that all participants can contribute to the development of a South Sudanese model of transitional justice.  I would like to appeal to everyone assembled here today to seize this important moment, and engage in constructive dialogue to understand the South Sudan context. 

Your Excellency, 

8.   It is clear that much remains to be done and we are behind schedule according to the Roadmap timelines. It my sincere hope therefore, that this conference will create fresh momentum in the implementation of chapter 5, and other critical pending tasks of the Agreement.

9.   There is need for deliberate efforts and a sense of urgency in the unification of forces, the making of the permanent constitution, and preparations for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in December 2024. With this in mind, it is a commendable step that on Friday the RTGoNU Council of Ministers approved a budget of over 3 billion South Sudanese Pounds for the deployment of the Phase 1 of the graduated forces.  

10.        I wish you all fruitful deliberations, and I Thank You.

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