Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the African Union Commission Chair. She attended a two-day conference on African agriculture in Addis Ababa., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan sworn in
March 13, 2014
ADDIS ABABA. – Members of the Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan appointed on March 7 by chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma have been sworn in. In the first such swearing-in ceremony in the history of the AU Commission, the members of the Commission of Inquiry each took an oath administered by the AU Commission’s legal counsel, Professor Vincent Nmehielle yesterday, at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia.
Overseeing the swearing-in ceremony, the AUC chairperson expressed delight in seeing the Commission of Inquiry setting off to do its work barely a week after its establishment and the appointment of its members.
In her remarks, Dr Dlamini-Zuma expressed the AUC’s satisfaction in assembling a team of women and men with rich diversity of expertise, and who are “equal to the task”.
Members of the commission are former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo (chairperson); Professor Mahmood Mamdani; Ms. Bineta Diop; Professor Pacifique Manirakiza and Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo.
They have combined expertise in areas such as human rights, international law, justice, gender, research, academia and politics.
While the Commission begins work immediately, the Commission of Inquiry Obasanjo, in his preliminary address after being sworn-in, pledged the commitment of the team to deliver.
“Africans and non-Africans all over the world will be watching to see not only the outcome of our work, but how we approach our work. We must take it seriously to prove to the world that Africa has come of age to able to manage African issues by ourselves,” he said.
Giving his assurances that the Commission will leave no stone unturned, and in accordance with the mandate and terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry, Obasanjo highlighted that those responsible must not get away with impunity.
“I want to assure everyone that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that, as much as possible, we are able to ascertain who is responsible,” he stressed.
Obasanjo also highlighted the issue of reconciliation, saying that at the end of the day, the Commission wishes to bring about genuine reconciliation, “particularly in the African way”.
Pointing to the issue of healing, he observed that there are wounds and bruises in South Sudan that need healing and that the work of the Commission should lead to a united, progressive and developed country.
The Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan is expected to investigate human rights violations and other abuses committed during the armed conflict that broke out in South Sudan in mid-December 2013. It is expected to submit its report to the AU Peace and Security Council in three months.
- African Union Commission.
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