FVP Machar Calls for Urgent judicial Reforms

By Jenifer James

First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar has called for swift implementation of the recommendations from the judicial reform committee in a bid to transform the judiciary into an effective arm of government.

He said during the opening of a validation workshop on Wednesday in Juba, that most of the legal disputes are often resolved through customary practices, a system recognized since the British established native administration.

Machar, who chairs the governance cluster, acknowledged the complexities of the judicial evolution, stating that the journey has been full of surprises, and the country must learn from it’s history.

He highlighted the judiciary’s fragile state, urging the reform team to consider its current conditions in their work, adding that the government must get rid of customary practices in the judiciary.

 Machar encouraged the judicial reform committee (JRC) to explore the country’s ten states and three administrative areas to capture its diversity, emphasizing that even a limited visit could yield valuable insights for recommendations.

Expressing his anticipation for the upcoming judicial review committee report, Machar said the final report will influence not just the judiciary but also the Ministry of Federal Affairs and the National Constitutional Review Commission, which is crucial for preparing the conduct of the elections in 2026.

He urged all ministers to participate in validating the report to ensure effective implementation across sectors.

Machar invited attendees to engage in meaningful discussions over the next three days, aiming to collaboratively analyze the report’s findings.

For his part, Justice James Ogoola, chairperson of the judicial reform committee, emphasized the need for reforms to enhance efficiency in the judiciary.

He said that the final draft report, which centers on “Access to Justice” reveals widespread public support for judicial reform and the urgent need to restore public confidence.

Ogoola noted concerns about executive interference in judicial independence, underrepresentation of women in the judiciary, and the necessity for improved working conditions and training.

 The IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, H.E. Amb. Ismail Wais, reinforced the judiciary’s critical role in a democratic society, emphasizing that the quest for sustainable peace and democracy cannot be fulfilled without an independent and well-resourced judiciary that upholds the rule of law.

 Wais said that the judicial review committee will finalize its report and submit it to the revitalized transitional government of national unity.

The R-TGoNU in turn is expected to reconstitute the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which is responsible for the implementation of the recommendations of the JRC.

“Therefore, as the critical next step, I urge the government to establish the Judicial Service Commission as soon as the report of the JRC is submitted to it,’’ Wais said.