Victoria Modong Taban, Legal Associate of Rights for Peace speaks to Eye Radio in Juba. Thursday, 22 June, 2023. | Photo: Charles Wote/Eye Radio.

A human rights activist is appealing to the unity government to establish interim compensation and reparation to some war victims and survivors who may need urgent support. 

The government formed on the basis of the 2018 peace pact was mandated to set aside a compensation and reparation fund within six months of the transitional period to address the destructive impact of the conflict.

Chapter 5 of the Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCISS) then provides for the establishment of the Compensation and Reparation Authority to undertake the task.

Upon its formation, the body should receive – through the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH), applications for compensation from victims including neutral and legal persons.

It is then mandated to facilitate material and financial support to war victims, survivors including those whose property was destroyed during the conflict.

But since the government was formed in February 2020, the process has not been started except for the formation of a technical committee on CTRH.

Speaking exclusively to Eye Radio on Thursday, Victoria Modong Taban, Legal Associate in the Rights for Peace said some survivors require immediate assistance that cannot wait for the implementation of Chapter 5.

“We are advocating for urgent interim reparation…… to victims or survivors who have immediate needs, who cannot wait for the work of the Commission to be completed,” Modong said.

“It could range from one to two years and these are pressing and urgent needs like access to medical care and psychological help. Sometimes you will see survivors of CRSV [conflict related sexual violence], need surgery for fistula.”

The Rights for Peace, a UK based non-profit supporting human rights groups in fragile states and the Centre for Inclusive governance, Peace and Justice has been conducting public consultations with victims and stakeholders in Bentiu, Juba, Yei and Bor to collect their views on the pending process.