South Sudan needs to move ahead now and enforce Justice and accountability, the top United Nations Diplomat, Ambassador Samantha Power, said on Saturday, shortly after meeting with the council of ministers in Juba.

“For as long as armed actors, rape, loot and kill with impunity, for as long as they are not held accountable, it will be very hard for the cause of peace to take hold here,” Ambassador Power told the council of Ministers in Juba.

Security Council delegates reiterated that the United Nations and member states remain committed to see an end to violence so that people can begin to recover from years of conflict and alleviate the suffering of the people.

“The hearts of the people need to see justice, in order for them to trust in the peace process,” Ambassador Power cautioned and emphasized that while, the accountability measures – the national reconciliation structures and commission of enquiries are important, what is more important is to bring to account those who have committed ghastly acts the South Sudanese, peace keepers and aid workers.

Ambassador Power, who is leading the UN Security Council delegation for a three day visit to Juba, said discussions focused on what could strengthen some of the bodies that have been set up to conduct investigations.

Commenting on the attack on the Terrain, Ambassador Samantha said it is extremely important that witnesses and people involved in those attacks feel comfortable to come forward and provide evidence. She noted that, an independent body should be established to take witness testimonies.

“Many of the victims feel frightened to come forward for fear of retaliation and for those still in the country raped again,” said Ambassador Power.

Cabinet affairs Minister, Martin Elia Lomuro, said an investigation into the Terrain incident, remains a matter of high priority for the Government. He acknowledged that cabinet has received a positive exchange of views with the security council delegates, on how to proceed and conclude the investigations.

Lift Restrictions to Humanitarian access

Once again, the concern about movement and access restrictions and other obstructions that hinder UNMISS operations was brought to the attention of the cabinet.

Ambassador Power emphasized that it is important to lift obstructions so that UNMISS and other humanitarian partners can expedite the delivery of the much needed assistance to the vulnerable people across the country.

The Cabinet affairs Minister noted that there may have been some information gaps but assured the Security council delegates,  that there is no intention to block the movement of UN troops, humanitarian actors from reaching people in need.   

Overall Ambassador Power said this was a progressive and constructive meeting, pointing to the fact that both sides were able to listen to each other and agreed on how to move forward, in a way that addresses the concerns of each side.

“There is now an understanding that when we talk about sending four thousand peacekeepers to South Sudan, on top of the force that is here, it is with one constituency in mind and that is the people of South Sudan,” said Ambassador Power.

This understanding was re-echoed by Martin Elia Lomuro, who in an encounter with the assured the people of South Sudan that; “the rumor out there, which the UN has come to impose on us and to bring foreign forces to take the freedom of South Sudan is baseless."

The cabinet affairs minister assured the citizens that what is more important for the nation at the moment is to create partnership with UNMISS to improve security and to prevent conflict in the country.