A civil society organization is calling for reform in the security sector before a peace agreement is signed by the warring parties.

The Dialogue and Research Initiative says transitional justice cannot wait for a peace deal.

The Executive Director of the local NGO, Gordon Lam says a proper justice system is only possible when the security sector is given consideration, so that human rights abuses can be documented for future references.

He said: “There are mechanisms that can be deployed for the nation to achieve transitional justice; even before the peace agreement is signed there could be preparations where people can form a committee. And they should be able to document the key human right abuses that were committed against the country by the warring parties.”

He says those who obstruct peace in South Sudan should be held accountable.