AU ASSEMBLY EXTENDS MANDATE OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION OF INQUIRY ON SOUTH SUDAN

Addis Ababa, 10 July 2014: Following the presentation of its Interim Report to the Assembly of Heads of States and Government, the mandate of the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCISS) was extended for 3 months (July –September 2014) by the decision of the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU held in Malabo from 26 to 27 June 2014.

The Commission’s request for extension of time was justified by the need to conduct more extensive consultations with different sectors of South Sudanese Society in all the 10 states as well as the Diaspora and to finalize investigations.

The AUCISS was established by the Peace and Security Council as a response to the crisis in South Sudan. It is tasked with investigating violations of human rights and humanitarian law committed during the crisis and making recommendations relating to healing, reconciliation, accountability, and institutional reforms.

In the first three months of its mandate period, the Commission conducted consultations with South Sudanese in South Sudan and neighbouring countries. These included President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar as well as some members of civil society and intellectuals.

The Commission’s Interim Report, which conceptualizes its mandate and details the Commission’s approach to the four mandate areas as well as key activities undertaken in the first three months, can be accessed at:
http://summits.au.int/en/23rdsummit/documents/interim-report-african-uni...