The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has raised concerns over the delay by South Sudan to ratifying the African Charter.

The African Charter is an international human rights instrument that is intended to promote and protect human rights and basic freedoms in Africa.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights says the charter is crucial for domesticating fundamental human rights documents in South Sudan, so as to provide avenues of redress for victims of human rights violations.

The Commission condemned the attacks on the civilian population by both parties to the conflict in South Sudan.

The commission says South Sudan should immediately ratify the African Charter.

It also called on the warring parties to immediately halt the violence and resolve their differences through a peace agreement.

It asks the Government of South Sudan to ensure that perpetrators of human rights violations are held accountable for their actions.

In a resolution which was passed in Bangui in the Central African Republic last week, the Human and Peoples’ Rights Commission urges the Government of South Sudan to also cooperate with the African Union Commission of Inquiry.

It further says the violence in South Sudan could have massive implications on regional peace, security and stability, if not quickly resolved.

In the meeting, the Eritrean permanent representative to the AU, Ambassador Araya Desta, said that a sustainable solution to South Sudan’s crisis can only be achieved through an internal political process owned and led by the people and the Government of South Sudan.

Ambassador Desta said that the international community should only support the peace process and assist the Government of South Sudan in nation building process.