South Sudan: AU transitional authority is just what the doctor ordered

After over 50,000 deaths, 2.3 million refugees, and 1.6 million internally displaced people, South Sudan, the world’s newest country, is rapidly descending into collapse. The continuing crisis has not only led to widespread hunger, malnutrition and disease but threatens the survival of a generation of South Sudanese. The civil war raises grave economic, social and security concerns for the future of the country and all of east Africa

The world should be further alarmed by an announcement by the now exiled First Vice President Riek Machar that he intends to mobilize other opposition figures to take up arms to overthrow the regime of President Kiir. This makes the prospect of another round of human suffering a disheartening reality. To pre-empt this forthcoming pogrom, the international community led by the African Union should as a matter of urgency take charge and seek support from the United Nations to establish a transitional authority to run the government of South Sudan. Only a radical solution will save South Sudan from the abyss.

{mosads}Given that the UN long term presence in South Sudan under one-year mandates has failed to adequately stabilize the country, the AU should establish an authority that will oversee the running of the country for a period of five years. Such an AU authority with the support of UN would not only help alleviate human suffering in South Sudan but build institutions resilient enough to withstand future shocks once the authority departs.

While some experts propose an executive mandate for the UN and AU to administer South Sudan jointly, with the UN in the lead, an Africa Union-led initiative is more likely to succeed. Given that the people of South Sudan have witnessed the failure of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to protect them from atrocities committed by soldiers loyal to Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, they are more likely to accept an authority led by the AU.

The installation of an AU led initiative will, however, have to contend with the argument that South Sudan is a sovereign country. Some say it fought a fierce war against Sudan for independence and will not accept rule by outsiders. However, the corruption, human rights abuses and anarchy orchestrated by the government of President Kiir, his former vice President Riek Machar and their cronies have already seriously undermined the sovereignty of the people of South Sudan. By installing an executive authority, the AU will be enhancing the rights of the people of South Sudan to live a life without mass rapes, torture and hunger.

Financial resources for a new AU executive authority can be easily mobilized by transfers from the UN mission in South Sudan, currently funded at over $1 billion for 2016-2017.

As the crisis in South Sudan threatens to spill over into the region, addressing it must remain a priority of the international community and the African Union in particular. The AU leadership often has been criticized for its inertia and lack of decisiveness.  Now it must show for once that it is capable of resolving issues affecting the African continent.  Even if the AU must denounce one of its own members, it has a higher obligation to the people of South Sudan – to offer them hope.

William Mugo is a Master’s candidate of International Policy and Practice at the George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington D.C. Mugo can reached on billmugo@gmail.com

The views expressed by authors are their own and not the views of The Hill.