Youth activist Animu Athiei- Courtesy

A regional human rights organization has accused the Government of South Sudan of failing to implement an African Commission ruling in favour of a woman who has been left stateless for nearly a decade.

Afekuru Animu Risasi Amitai, also known as Animu Athiei, petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights after the government revoked her appointment as a member of parliament. She had earlier lost her citizenship.

In August 2024, the African Commission found South Sudan responsible for several violations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including breaches related to nationality, dignity, due process, freedom of movement, political participation, and the right to work.

However, the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) submitted a status report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) during its 87th Ordinary Session in Banjul, The Gambia, on Tuesday.

The report says South Sudan has not complied with the Commission’s decision in the case of Afekuru Animu Risasi Amitai v. Republic of South Sudan, nearly two years after the ruling was issued.

According to IHRDA, the government has failed to restore Ms. Afekuru’s nationality documents, compensate her, or introduce measures to prevent similar cases in the future.

The organisation also said authorities have not carried out training on nationality and statelessness for relevant state institutions, as recommended by the Commission.

“Regional human rights decisions cannot become symbolic pronouncements with no implementation,” the IHRDA legal team said.

“This case speaks directly to the authority of the African human rights system and the obligation of States to comply with decisions issued by the Commission.”

The group added that South Sudan’s “continued silence and inaction” has left Ms. Afekuru in prolonged legal uncertainty and denied her access to justice.

Animu said statelessness has affected every aspect of her life.

“For almost a decade, I have lived without the protection and recognition of a nationality,” she said.

“Statelessness has affected every aspect of my life; my work, my dignity, my sense of belonging and security.”

She expressed hope that South Sudan would eventually respect the Commission’s decision and restore her rights.

IHRDA said it has spent the past year engaging with the UN refugee agency, UNMISS, the South Sudan Human Rights Commission, African Union representatives, civil society groups, and international media outlets to push for implementation of the ruling.

The organisation has now called on the African Commission to take stronger action, including compelling South Sudan to submit a clear implementation plan and escalating the matter to African Union policy organs under Article 54 of the African Charter.

IHRDA is a pan-African human rights organisation that works to strengthen the African human rights system through litigation, advocacy, and capacity building.