BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 09, (THEWILL) – The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission has been asked to consult with the Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Right and other relevant AU structures to urgently establish a commission to investigate the human rights violations committed during recent armed conflict in South Sudan.
The Union gave the directive at a meeting of its Peace and Security Council meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government in Banjul, The Gambia on December 31 , 2013.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting asked the commission to submit a report to it on the best ways to ensure accountability, reconciliation and healing among all South Sudanese communities.
AU also said that it would take appropriate measures including targeted sanctions against all those who incited people to violence, including along ethnic lines, continue hostilities, undermine dialogue, hinder humanitarian operations and carry out violence against civilians, saying it would seek the support of the United Nations Security Council in resolving the South Sudan crisis.
It however commended the UN Security Council for authorising an increase in the strength of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to support the protection of civilians and delivery of humanitarian assistance.
It also called upon all member states of the AU, “having troops and police personnel in UN peacekeeping to support the increase in UNMISS strength by making available. Military and police personnel, as well as assets.”
The Union also asked the chairperson of the AU Commission to submit a comprehensive report on the situation in South Sudan and the implementation of this decision to it at its Heads of State and Government meeting scheduled to hold in Addis Ababa during the 23rd ordinary session of the Assembly of the Union at the end of the month.
