The UN will send an ad hoc committee to South Sudan to assess the human rights situation in the country, an official has said.

Justice Minister Paulino Wanawilla says members of the International Human Rights Commission will advise on how to improve the situation after their visit.

He spoke on return from Geneva, where he had gone to attend the 29^th session of the commission.

“They are serious about the issue that there should be accountability and we told them that accountability will come after because the priority is peace. Because everybody will be made accountable for what he or she has done in violation of human rights,” Mr Wanawilla said.

There have been unconfirmed reports of human rights violations in the country, particularly during this crisis. Humanitarian workers have told of, among others, raping of women and girls as young as 13.

The minister didn’t specify when the team will arrive in the country.