The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the Judiciary of South Sudan and the Directorate of Legal Administration and Public Prosecution to launch a 30-day Mobile Court Initiative in Western Bahr el Ghazal State. The initiative aims to reduce the backlog of criminal cases, address prolonged pre-trial detention, and promote accountability and access to justice. The mobile court will operate in Wau and Raja counties, providing justice services to communities in remote areas.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Justice Andrew Joshua Lado, President of the Court of Appeal for the Bahr el Ghazal Circuit, emphasized the importance of the mobile court in making the justice system more accessible to communities. He noted that with a limited number of judges available, mobile courts provide a viable solution to improving access to justice and strengthening the rule of law. Justice Lado also expressed appreciation for UNDP's continued support to South Sudan's justice sector.
The mobile court initiative seeks to address the issue of prolonged pre-trial detention, with over 200 remand cases currently awaiting trial in prisons. Justice Lado stressed that this situation requires urgent attention. The initiative will enable judicial officers to reach communities where access to judicial services remains limited, thereby bridging the gap between justice institutions and the communities they serve.
Justice Dudu Jackson Jejen, President of the High Court in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to expand access to justice. Representing UNDP, Mr. Felix Cassim stated that the deployment of the mobile court demonstrates the shared commitment of justice-sector institutions and development partners to ensuring that justice is accessible to all citizens.
The launch of the mobile court was attended by senior state officials, including the A/IGP-State Commissioner for Police, Lt. Gen. Elia Kosta Faustino, and the State Director of Prisons Service, Maj. Gen. Pidele Majok. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen access to justice, enhance public confidence in the justice system, and advance the rule of law in South Sudan.
The mobile court is the first initiative of its kind to be established in Western Bahr el Ghazal State this year. It is expected to clear cases that have been awaiting trial for a long time, thereby reducing the backlog of criminal cases. The initiative will also promote accountability and the rule of law, ensuring that citizens can access timely and fair judicial processes.
The UNDP's support to South Sudan's justice sector is part of a broader effort to strengthen the rule of law and expand access to justice. The mobile court initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal, and its success will be closely monitored by stakeholders. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
Key points
- The mobile court initiative aims to reduce the backlog of over 200 remand cases currently awaiting trial in prisons.
- The initiative seeks to promote accountability, the rule of law, and access to justice across Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
- The mobile court is a practical mechanism for bringing justice services closer to communities in remote areas.
