28 May 2014 - To investigate causes of conflict in South Sudan, a delegation from the African Union (AU) Commission of Enquiry visited the Upper Nile State capital Malakal today.

Commission members were making a field assessment of the main areas of conflict, after first stopping in Juba.

Key aims of the trip were to coordinate with main actors on the ground, offer technical support, investigate causes of conflict and events that occurred, and identify perpetrators.

“We intend to go to the main centers where conflict spread, knowing that there are places where the situation remained calm,” said head of delegation Sophia Okoffo.

The delegation was briefed by Upper Nile State Acting Governor Gyuin Philip Chan on overall security in the state. “We are ready to cooperate with advocates for peace to end this senseless war in South Sudan,” he said.

“The priority now is ensuring that people are able to live their normal life,” he said. “We will investigate violations of human rights that occurred during this senseless war and perpetrators will be prosecuted.”

The delegation was briefed by Upper Nile State Coordinator that Security Council Resolution 2155 adopted the previous day had mandated UNMISS to coordinate with and provide technical support to the AU Commission of Inquiry. She added that the first priority was to protect civilians.