USAID/SOUTH SUDAN TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE DOCUMENTATION STUDY FINAL REPORT

The study aimed to provide recommendations for strategic and coordinated support to documentation efforts in South Sudan. The research was conducted by Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, under the USAID Monitoring and Evaluation Support Project, South Sudan. The study defined transitional justice as a set of processes and mechanisms aimed at promoting accountability, justice, and reconciliation in the aftermath of conflict or human rights abuses. The research focused on the documentation of human rights violations and abuses, truth-seeking, reparations, and criminal accountability. The study also examined the role of donors, actors, and coordination in transitional justice efforts in South Sudan. The research found that donors, including the United States, European Union, and United Nations, play a crucial role in supporting transitional justice efforts in South Sudan. However, the study noted that coordination among donors and actors is often lacking, leading to duplication of efforts and inefficiencies. The research also highlighted the need for civil society organizations to be more involved in transitional justice efforts, particularly in the areas of documentation and truth-seeking. The study identified several challenges and gaps in transitional justice efforts in South Sudan, including the lack of a clear strategic framework for support, inadequate resources, and limited capacity among civil society organizations. The research recommended the development of a strategic framework for coordinated support to documentation efforts, as well as increased funding and capacity-building for civil society organizations. The study also highlighted the importance of addressing economic and social rights in transitional justice efforts, particularly in the context of South Sudan's ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. The research noted that the documentation of human rights violations and abuses, including conflict-related sexual violence, is critical to promoting accountability and justice. The transitional justice documentation study in South Sudan provides valuable insights into the current state of transitional justice mechanisms in the country. The research highlights the need for improved coordination among donors and actors, increased involvement of civil society organizations, and a greater focus on economic and social rights. The study's recommendations provide a framework for strategic and coordinated support to documentation efforts in South Sudan, with the ultimate goal of promoting accountability, justice, and reconciliation in the country.