AU to set up South Sudan War Crimes Court

The African Union (AU) says a special court will be set up to try war crimes suspects in South Sudan, which has been hit by a brutal conflict since 2013.

It said the move is aimed at promoting an "African solution" to the conflict in the world's youngest state, which became independent in 2011.

The AU added that an inquiry has found that both government and rebel forces have committed atrocities.

Despite the signing of a peace deal last month, conflict has continued. 

The formation of the court is part of the deal President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed following intense diplomatic pressure from regional leaders.

Thousands have been killed in the fighting over the last 21 months and more than 2.2 million people forced from their homes.

South Sudan does not recognize the International Criminal Court (ICC), which investigates atrocities in member states or if a case is referred to it by the UN Security Council.


BBC