The African Union (AU), in partnership with the United Nations and the Government of South Sudan, has invited applications for three non-South Sudanese commissioners to serve on the country’s long-awaited Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH), a key institution under the 2018 peace deal.
The commission, established under the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), is mandated to investigate human rights violations, promote reconciliation and foster national healing after years of civil war.
President Salva Kiir signed the CTRH Act into law in November 2024, paving the way for the body’s creation.
According to the AU, the commission will have seven members — four South Sudanese and three from other African countries — with at least three women among them. The international commissioners will be nominated by South Sudan’s Council of Ministers in consultation with the AU Commission Chairperson and the UN Secretary-General, before being presented to parliament for approval.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), welcomed the AU’s announcement, describing it as “a long-overdue but positive milestone” toward implementing South Sudan’s transitional justice commitments.
“It is better late than never,” Yakani told Radio Tamazuj. “The delay has largely been due to our government dragging its feet and failing to genuinely implement the transitional justice provisions of the 2018 peace agreement.”
Yakani urged the unity government to move quickly to appoint the four South Sudanese commissioners — two men and two women — to complement the AU recruitment process.
“This positive step by the African Union should trigger the urgent appointment of the national commissioners,” he said. “The Ministry of Justice has started the process, but it must accelerate it to ensure the CTRH becomes functional without further delays.”
He said genuine implementation of transitional justice under Chapter 5 of the peace agreement was essential to move the country from “a cycle of violence to lasting peace.”
Applicants for the international commissioner posts must hold at least a master’s degree in law, political science, international relations or a related field, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in transitional justice, human rights, peacebuilding or conflict resolution. Candidates must also demonstrate impartiality and integrity, the AU said.
The positions are open to nationals of African Union member states other than South Sudan. Shortlisted candidates will undergo a competitive selection process, including interviews by a joint AU-UN panel, before final endorsement by South Sudanese authorities.
Applications close on December 1, 2025.