The South Sudan civil war started in December 2013 and "ended" in August 2015 with the signing of a peace agreement. In that time, thousands of lives were lost and countless atrocities enacted against the population, including rape, torture and child recruitment into armed conflict. Some 2 million people have been forced from their homes.
In 2016 the South Sudanese people are still reeling in the wake of the war. The violence, while condemned by the words of the leaders on both sides, continues. In order to restores a true peace a reconciliation process must begin. The leaders in South Sudan need to start with accountability for human rights abuses, release of wrongfully detained citizens and reaching out to the African Union Commission to enact justice on the most serious crimes.
Sign now to stand for action instead of words in South Sudan. By signing today you are sending a strong message to South Sudanese leaders that their words of peace must be followed with actions grounded in accountability and justice.
To President Kiir and Vice President Machar,
As a person who is concerned with the health and safety of all humans, I urge you to start an actionable plan for accountability and reconciliation after the civil war in your country.
Your population has suffered enough violence and despite words on both sides celebrating peace, the violence continues. Both sides of the conflict need to see that their leaders are being accountable and doing actionable things towards reconciliation.
I urge you to consider these three things when moving forward:
1. Seeking justice for the human rights violations that took place during the war.
2. Releasing all prisoners of war who are being wrongfully detained
3. Connecting with the African Union Commission to seek process in pursuing a tribunal to try the most serious offenders in the war.
[Your Comment Here]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
