Civil Society call for staffing judiciary with experts from EAC region

Civil society leaders are urging the government to enhance its judiciary by enlisting judges from the East African region as part of ongoing reforms to build a robust legal system. This call comes in light of the country’s ongoing struggles with impunity, human rights abuses, and the enforcement of the rule of law.

By Jenifer James

Civil society leaders are urging the government to enhance its judiciary by enlisting judges from the East African region as part of ongoing reforms to build a robust legal system. T

his call comes in light of the country’s ongoing struggles with impunity, human rights abuses, and the enforcement of the rule of law.

The Executive Director of the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace, and Justice, Jackline Nasiwa, highlighted the urgent need for reform during the validation of the Judicial Reform Committee’s report on Friday.

She pointed out that regional judicial assistance and adequate resources are crucial for revitalizing South Sudan’s judiciary, which has been hindered by inefficiency, a lack of independence, and insufficient staffing.

“We’ve observed instances of judges facing intimidation, and it’s vital that they can uphold their ethical standards while administering justice,” Nasiwa stated.

“To strengthen our Supreme Court and establish a constitutional court, we recommend co-opting judges from the East African region to mentor our judges as we work to transition and recruit more judicial personnel.”

Nasiwa also stressed the necessity of immediate political will from leadership to ensure judicial independence, which is essential for restoring public confidence in the justice system. She proposed a five-year funding plan aimed at enhancing judicial infrastructure and human resources.

“As civil society, we discussed and recommend a five-year block grant for the judiciary to develop its infrastructure and human resources,” Nasiwa noted.

The Judicial Reform Committee (JRC) report on South Sudan’s judiciary outlines findings and recommendations derived from extensive research and public consultations. It addresses key areas such as judicial structure, legal frameworks, welfare, training, infrastructure, and the establishment of an independent Constitutional Court.

Major findings indicate strong public support for reforms, the necessity of rebuilding trust in the judiciary, interference from executive branches, under-representation of women, poor working conditions, and inadequate facilities. The report also underscores the importance of establishing mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes ahead of the 2026 elections.

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