Some of civilians displaced by clashes in Mayendit County of Unity State (File)

The National Council of Ministers meeting on Friday approved two bills for the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing, and the Reparation Authority.

Chapter Five of the 2018 peace accord obligates the unity government to establish the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing, the Hybridge Court for South Sudan, and the Compensation and Reparation Authority.

According to the agreement, the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing is a critical part of the peace-building process in South Sudan, to address the legacy of conflict and promote national reconciliation and healing.

It is mandated to inquire into all aspects of human rights violations and abuses, breaches of the rule of law, and excessive abuses of power committed against all persons in South Sudan by state, non-state actors and or agents, and allies.

It will also receive applications from conflict victims, identify and determine their right to remedy as well as identify perpetrators of violations and crimes prescribed in the agreement.

Michael Makuei, the national Minister of Information and official government spokesperson, said the commission will enable aggrieved individuals to file their complaints.

“This bill is provided for the establishment of the administration and for the promotion of peace and national reconciliation and healing,” Makuei told reporters after the cabinet meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir in Juba.

“This of course is very important because after the establishment of this commission, anybody who has complaints or who is aggrieved will have to report to that body which will look into their cases.”

“They will investigate all these and summon people to come and answer. So, this is a bill that is establishing this commission and as such it was passed.”

Meanwhile, the Compensation and Reparation Authority shall provide material and financial support to citizens whose property was destroyed by the conflict and help them rebuild their livelihood.

Minister Michael Makuei also said the cabinet approved the bill.

“These two bills are in accordance with the provision of the agreement, the agreement provided for the establishment of this commission and authority.”

“This commission and authority will provide compensation to those who deserve compensation, those who have suffered, and those who have been affected by the conflict, they will be paid compensation and those who will be given reparation will be given reparation accordingly.”

Only three years after independence, South Sudan slipped into a vicious civil war that has killed an estimated 400,000 people and displaced more than 4 million people, according to the United Nations.