July 15, 2021 — In an exclusive “Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 5 of the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-441)” released by the U.S. Department of State on Monday, July 12, 2021, the United States government demands for an African Union hybrid court to be established to investigate and hold South Sudanese leaders accountable for war crimes that include extrajudicial killings of civilians along tribal lines and sexual violence.
The  report, which highlights countries of concern and whole-of-government efforts undertaken by the Atrocity Early Warning Task Force to prevent and respond to atrocities from July 2020 to May 202, demands that the hybrid court will investigate and prosecute perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanility.
“In South Sudan, State coordinated financial and political support to establish an African Union hybrid court to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Part of the report read.
The Congress have come to conclusion that South Sudan government has perpetrated extrajudicial killings, ethnic-based killings of civilians, widespread sexual violence, and use of food as a weapon of war.
“The government has perpetrated extrajudicial killings including ethnic-based killings of civilians, widespread sexual violence, and use of food as a weapon of war.” The report continued.
The report also said non-government armed groups also perpetrated unlawful killings, rape, sexual slavery, and forced recruitment of children.
In February 2021, Secretary Blinken stated those responsible for human rights violations in South Sudan must be held to account.
The AU Commission of Inquiry and the UN Commission on Human Rights for South Sudan have documented atrocities.
The Biden administration said it continues to support civil society documentation to further truth, justice, and accountability and advocate for a robust mandate for the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to collect and preserve evidence.
The administration pledges to defend and protect human rights around the world, and recognizes the prevention of atrocities is a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility.
The report also discussed human rights violence and genocide in China, Ethiopia, Iraq and Syria among other countries.
