http://za.news.yahoo.com/african-union-opens-probe-south-sudan-atrocities-121525251.html
African Union opens probe into South Sudan atrocities
By Andrei Pungovschi | AFP - 4 minutes 6 seconds ago
The African Union opened a commission of inquiry Wednesday into atrocities
carried out in the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.
South Sudan's government has been at war with rebel groups since December
15, when a clash between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those
loyal to sacked vice president Riek Machar snowballed into full-scale
fighting across the world's newest nation.
Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo heads the five-member
commission, which was set up to "investigate human rights violations and
other abuses during the conflict by all parties".
"Whoever is responsible must not get away with impunity," said Obasanjo,
who will later submit the team's recommendations to the AU.
"Africa must not condone impunity of Africans treating Africans as if they
are not human beings," he added. "I want to assure you we will leave no
stone unturned."
AU commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said the team faced a "very
important and heavy responsibility".
War crimes have been committed by all sides in the war, Human Rights Watch
has said, detailing widespread atrocities in almost three months of carnage.
The two sides signed a ceasefire agreement on January 23, but heavy
fighting has continued.
Stalled peace talks in Ethiopia, which have made little progress, are due
to resume on March 20.
The trial of four top leaders accused of treason for allegedly attempting
to topple Kiir opened on Tuesday.
Received on Wed Mar 12 2014 - 08:22:41 EDT