Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo heads the AU commission of inquiry

24 local and international human rights organizations have petitioned the African Union Peace and Security Council to release a report of it commission of Inquiry into the South Sudan conflict.

The council is scheduled to meet today in Addis Ababa.

Last year, the AU Peace and Security Council formed a commission, led by the former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, to investigate war crimes committed by both sides in the conflict.

The team finished its investigation in January this year and filed a report on its findings. But the AU suspended publication of the report, saying it would slow down the peace process.

In a letter to the council, the organizations, including Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch, say postponing the publication disappointed South Sudanese about the possibility of accountability.

The organizations say this also raised questions about the AU’s commitment to taking serious steps towards supporting justice for the crimes committed.

The groups say there were severe violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by both parties.

They say these crimes include burning people alive, hangings, rape and abductions, and widespread burning and lootings of villages and small towns.

They strongly noted that there should be accountability for the crimes committed by the warring parties, which they say amount to war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The groups say council should publish the report to reassure South Sudanese about accountability.