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 Wau and Raja Counties of Western Bahr el Ghazal State. This initiative aims to reduce the backlog of criminal cases, address prolonged pre-trial detention, and promote accountability and access to justice. The launch ceremony was attended by senior state officials, including the Acting Inspector General of Police and State Commissioner for Police, Lt. Gen. Elia Kosta Faustino.
The UNDP representative, Mr. Felix Cassim, stated that the mobile court demonstrates the commitment of justice-sector institutions and development partners to ensuring justice is accessible to all citizens. He noted that the initiative offers a practical response to challenges within the justice system by temporarily deploying judges, prosecutors, legal aid providers, and other court personnel to underserved areas. This move is expected to strengthen the protection of victims' rights and promote the rule of law across the state.
Justice Andrew Joshua Lado, President of the Court of Appeal for the Bahr el Ghazal Circuit, described the mobile court as an important mechanism for bringing justice services closer to communities. He said it would help ease overcrowding in detention facilities and clear cases that have remained pending for extended periods. Currently, more than 200 remand cases are awaiting trial in prisons, a situation that requires urgent attention.
The President of the High Court in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Justice Dudu Jackson Jejen, welcomed the initiative, saying it would enable judicial officers to reach communities where access to justice services remains limited. The mobile court is the first initiative of its kind to be established in Western Bahr el Ghazal State this year. Community leaders and representatives of the Bar Association also attended the launch ceremony.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen access to justice, enhance public confidence in the justice system, and promote the rule of law in South Sudan. The mobile court will provide a platform for citizens to access justice services, regardless of their geographical location or circumstances. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
The launch ceremony was attended by various stakeholders, including senior state officials, community leaders, and representatives of the Bar Association. The Acting Inspector General of Police and State Commissioner for Police, Lt. Gen. Elia Kosta Faustino, and the State Director of Prisons Service, Maj. Gen. Pidele Majok, were among the dignitaries present. The initiative has been welcomed by stakeholders, who see it as a step towards promoting justice and accountability in the state.
The 30-day Mobile Court Initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of citizens in Western Bahr el Ghazal State. By addressing the backlog of cases and promoting access to justice, the initiative will help to promote accountability, the rule of law, and human rights in the state. The UNDP and the Judiciary of South Sudan have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring that justice is accessible to all citizens, regardless of their geographical location or circumstances.
Key points
- The UNDP and South Sudan's judiciary have launched a 30-day mobile court initiative to address the backlog of cases and promote access to justice 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 provide a platform for citizens to access justice services, regardless of their geographical location or circumstances.
