The Netherlands has urged the transitional government to start a process of transitional justice and accountability.

The peace accord requires the transitional government, “upon inception,” to initiate legislation to establish the hybrid court which, according to the agreement, will be put in place by the AU Commission.

Vice-Minister for International Cooperation Christiaan Rebergan says this should be part of implementing all the elements of the peace agreement, including political and economic reforms.

In a statement, the embassy of the Netherlands in Juba says Mr Christiaan had been in Juba since Monday until yesterday. He met various officials, including the ministers of justice and foreign affairs.

“I acknowledge the important step taken by the Transitional Government of National Unity,” the Vice-Minister said. “I urge TGoNU to speed up implementation of all elements of the peace agreement,” Mr Rebergan said in the state.
“This includes carrying through political and economic reforms, and start a process of transitional justice and accountability.”

The statement comes days after an article published in the New York times with the byline of President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar, saying the international community should support a truth and reconciliation commission instead of the hybrid court in the peace deal.

However, the spokesperson of Dr Riek Machar later said the First Vice President did not endorse the article.

The African Union’s 2015 report into the conflict in South Sudan delivers conclusions on the conflict which lasted 2 and a half years.

Its evidence of killings, torture, mutilations and rape against civilians – as well as forced cannibalism, serve to highlight the urgency for impartial investigations into war crimes, if further atrocities are to be deterred and those suspected of criminal responsibility for crimes under international law held to account.