South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Martain Elia, has confirmed that South Sudan is on a path to establishing itself as a recognized nation-state. This assertion comes during a validation workshop organized by the Ministry of Justice on the Judiciary Reform Committee report held on Wednesday.
Elia addressed the considerable challenges South Sudan faces, emphasizing that the country, born from a larger entity, has endured persistent instability and internal strife. “When people realized that war was not the answer to nation-building, they united to form a renewed agreement,” he stated. This agreement has empowered the transitional government of national unity with the essential task of nation-building, marking the beginning of a new era in governance and collaboration.
According to Elia Without stability, many remain caught in cycles of fear and displacement, obstructing any chance for dialogue and healing adding that the government seeks to foster an environment conducive to recovery, enabling citizens to rebuild their lives.
A crucial element of Elia’s speech was the proposal to establish a commission focused on truth, reconciliation, and healing. “We must confront the damages inflicted by war and compensate those affected,” he urged, stressing the importance of a transparent and inclusive process. This initiative aims to rebuild trust in the government and create a sense of belonging for all citizens. “Addressing grievances is fundamental to genuine reconciliation,” he asserted. “People need to feel their rights are upheld by law. Without justice, peace remains elusive.”
Elia also highlighted that judicial reform is vital to this reconciliation effort. “We must diagnose the problems within our judicial system and implement effective solutions,” he said. The validation process involves judges James Ogola and Joyce Roach, who are tasked with identifying shortcomings within the judiciary. “It’s crucial to address these issues properly; otherwise, we risk reverting to conflict,” Elia cautioned.
Looking to the future, the government is dedicated to building strong electoral institutions that empower citizens. “Our goal is to create a system that serves future generations, not just our own interests,” Elia concluded. “Despite the challenges, we are committed to constructing a robust and unified South Sudan.” While the road ahead is fraught with difficulties, the focus on judicial reform and reconciliation provides a hopeful path toward a peaceful and prosperous future.
Meanwhile the chairperson of the Judiciary Reform committee Justice James Ogoola noted concerns about interference in the judiciary by certain executive members and emphasized the need to restore trust and establish independent courts nationwide. “We identified a significant need to rebuild public confidence in the judiciary, given the perception of interference by the executive,” Justice Ogola stated. Additional findings revealed a shortage of judges, inadequate representation, and funding challenges.
The Judiciary Reform Committee (JRC), established on July 28, 2022, was tasked with reviewing the judiciary and offering recommendations to the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), as outlined in Article 1.17 of the Peace Agreement.
