The Global Survivors Fund welcomes South Sudan efforts to secure justice for survivors of a devastating conflict

Geneva, 2 February 2021 

The Global Survivors Fund (“the GSF”) welcomes the approval of the Government of South Sudan to proceed with the establishment of the Transitional Justice, Accountability, Reconciliation and Healing Institutions to address violations committed during the conflict.  

In accordance with the Chapter V of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, signed on 12 September 2018, the parties to the agreement committed to establish a Hybrid Court, a Commission of Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) and a Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA). The approval by the Cabinet of the Justice Minister’s proposal paves the way for securing justice and ensuring durable peace in the country.  

The Fund commends the approval and now urges the Government of South Sudan and the signatories to the Agreement to show genuine commitment, ensure its speedy implementation and the direct participation and engagement of all affected population and particularly the survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.  

Dr. Denis Mukwege, founder of the Global Survivors Fund said: “Survivors of sexual violence in South Sudan continue to suffer each and every day. It is time to acknowledge and repair the harm that was done to them. We hope the setting up of these new institutions in South Sudan will be a step towards fully functioning transitional justice mechanisms for the victims and their communities and that the South Sudan Government will swiftly take action on its announcement. This is key for recovering peace and security in the country".

Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) has been a pervasive and omnipresent feature of the conflict in South Sudan, leaving survivors, their families and communities with devastating consequences, including physical injuries and psycho-social trauma, loss of livelihoods and educational opportunities, stigmatization and social exclusion among others.  

The GSF urges the Government of South Sudan to include CRSV as of one of the priorities of the prospective Hybrid Court, as well as to give priority to the survivors of CRSV within the mandate and the work of the Compensation and Reparation Authority. In particular, the GSF stresses the need for the South Sudan Government to provide for reparation measures to address the harms and losses suffered by victims during the conflict.  

The GSF also calls upon the African Union, the United Nations and other stakeholders to continue providing and extend further their support to the South Sudanese nascent institutions in fulfilling their mandate.

Context

Civil war broke out in South Sudan in December 2013 and led to massive killings and displacements of population to neighboring countries. Since the outbreak of the conflict, the population has witnessed severe violence, including sexual violence. After five years of civil war, negotiations started and a peace agreement was signed in 2018 between the Government and the opposition party, alongside with other rebel factions. The setting up of a Hybrid Court and reparation mechanisms will help in achieving sustainable peace in the country.

Background

The Global Survivors Fund (“the GSF”) was established in October 2019 at the initiative of Dr. Denis Mukwege, Ms. Nadia Murad and survivors from all around the world. Its purpose is to enhance access to reparations and other forms of redress for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence around the globe. This is done by providing interim reparative measures to survivors in countries where the state is unwilling or unable to discharge its duties. The GSF also provides advice and technical assistance to governments which are genuinely committed to establishing reparations programs and advocacy at national and international level.  

A survivor-centric approach is the corner stone of GSF’s work. 

 

For media queries, please contact:  
Maud Scelo, Communications officer at the GSF 
mscelo@globalsurvivorsfund.org  
+32 460 752 466