The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Commission), through its Country Rapporteur for the Republic of South Sudan – Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, wishes to congratulate the Republic of South Sudan, on its recent accession to the following regional and international human rights treaties:
1. The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol);
2. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
3. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and
4. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto.
The Commission welcomes this significant and commendable step, which expands the legal framework for the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in the Republic of South Sudan and gives particular recognition to the rights of specific categories of people notably women and people living with disabilities.
The Commission underscores that the value of the accession of South Sudan to these human rights treaties is predicated on their effective implementation and enforcement at the national level. It therefore urges the country to take the necessary legislative, institutional, regulatory, policy budgetary and other necessary measures required for their effective implementation in South Sudan.
The Commission takes this opportunity to renew its commitment to support the efforts of the Republic of South Sudan in deepening its commitment to guarantee respect for all the rights and freedoms of the people of South Sudan and underscores in this respect the imperative of full and speedy implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) including its Chapter V on Transitional Justice.
26 February, 2023
Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso
Country Rapporteur for the Republic of South Sudan
