Human rights organizations are being asked to document atrocities that may have been committed during the conflict.

The UN and other humanitarian groups have reported destruction of properties, rape, targeted killing and recruitment of children into forces, amongst others.

The U.S government wants such abuses committed by all parties to be put on record.

“We need to do work now to ensure that the evidence is collected, is appropriately documented so that when the time comes, we actually bring some of these to a more formalized setting,” said Steven Feldstein, an official from the US Department of State.

Currently, the South Sudan peace process is being mediated by the regional body, IGAD, in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

In order to bring a lasting peace to the country, Mr. Feldstein said everyone in South Sudan should be represented.

“Our goal as is the goal I think for most people in South Sudan is to find a way back to a sustainable and enduring peace,” he continued.

“And in order to do that, we need to make sure that all the stakeholders are involved; that we are not just talking to a few people.

“It is not just a conversation that involves the government and the opposition, but it involves civil society, church groups and many others to have an open dialogue about what has happened and what needs to occur as we move forward.”

Mr Feldstein, who was speaking to reporters at JIA yesterday, said the priority is peace in South Sudan, before discussions about how to hold people to account, for any atrocities committed.

Author: Mabior Philip