South Sudan on Friday approved the establishment of the African Union Hybrid Court pursuant to chapter 5 of the 2018 revitalised peace agreement.

The hybrid court will help the youngest nation prosecute cases relating to war crimes which were committed in the span of six years of conflict.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Michael Makuei Lueth, who also doubles as Government Spokesperson, told journalists that a cabinet meeting convened on Friday, January 29, resolved to clear Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs  Rueben Madol to start the process of establishing the court.

 “Cabinet authorised him to start the process of establishing all these institutions in accordance with the provision of the peace agreement,” Lueth told the press in Juba, as quoted by Xhinua.

The move is a critical aspect of implementing the revitalised peace agreement that was signed by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar in 2018.

The court is expected to rope in both local and foreign judges to jumpstart the justice and reconciliation process.

Elusive graduation

The country is yet to see full transition into ceasefire with certain pouches of the nation such as Central Equatoria, Jonglei State, Pibor Administrative Area and Terekeka experiencing intermittent flushes of violence.

The insecurity is more pronounced by the sluggish roll-out of the implementation of the peace agreement, which enshrined the training of the National Unified Forces.

 The security personnel comprising 83,000 people will take over the security of the country and pledge allegiance to know individual in particular. But even as of now, the group is yet to graduate from the training camps.

Recently, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) expressed fears that the unification maybe hindered by increased defection of troops and shift in allegiance by their commanders.

The commission, led by Maj Gen Charles Tai Gitua, decried the trend saying it could jeopardise the gains made in the unification process, and subsequently the implementation of the agreement.

“Revitalized Peace Agreement in South Sudan has made commendable progress in the past two years since its signing and this must not be allowed to weaken because of instability caused by defection or accepting defections which is contrary to the letter and spirit of the agreement,” he said.

Also, the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and a group of diplomats who toured Maridi and Rajaf training facilities called on the government to provide the necessary support to ensure that trainees complete their curriculum and graduate in support of the peace process.