Arop Jonchol
Bentiu – Al-Wadi Newspaper
When civil war broke out in 2013, violence and insecurity led to the withdrawal of judges from Unity State, leaving communities entirely dependent on traditional courts to resolve disputes—including serious criminal cases that fall outside their jurisdiction. For the first time since then, residents of Leer County in southern Unity State now have access to formal justice through the deployment of a mobile court that will hear over 60 cases related to murder, rape, and other serious crimes from Leer, Miandit, Fangak, and Koch counties. The courts are supported by UNMISS, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience, and the Norwegian Embassy.
The mobile court was officially inaugurated by Unity State Governor Dr. Riek Bim Top, and more than 2,000 people gathered to witness this historic event—demonstrating its significance to communities across the region.
In his opening remarks, Governor Riek Bim Top Luong stated
“The deployment of the mobile court and the establishment of permanent justice in Unity State provide mechanisms that allow all South Sudanese to access justice, regardless of political affiliation. We are working with the judiciary and partners to permanently reinstate judges in Unity State so that victims can receive their legal rights.”
Traditional leader of Koch County, William Dub Kueth, said the absence of a formal justice system created a gap traditional courts couldn’t fill:
“We are authorized to handle customary matters but are not qualified to try cases of murder or rape. These require a trained and competent judge. We fully support the mobile court at the community level because it will help reduce crime and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Stella Abayomi, Acting Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Unity State, also expressed her strong support:
“The mobile court will address cases beyond the jurisdiction of traditional leaders, including murder, gender-based violence, conflict-related sexual violence, and forced or early marriage. Justice and accountability are key to reducing crime, curbing violence against women, and improving security.”
The large number of women in attendance at the opening ceremony reflected the disproportionate impact of conflict and crime—especially sexual violence—on women and girls throughout South Sudan.
Maria Nya Dak, a 20-year-old woman, shared her thoughts:
“We are happy the mobile court has come because it will help stop early and forced marriages in our community. Women and girls have suffered for too long without justice.”
Maria called for stronger laws to protect women and girls from all forms of violence:
“Our government must pass laws that address the major challenges facing women and girls. That would give us the full freedom we deserve.”
The mobile court is a joint initiative between the Judiciary of South Sudan, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Government of Unity State. The court team consists of two High Court judges, three court clerks, three defense attorneys, a prosecutor, and a victims’ representative.
Before court sessions began, UNMISS and its partners trained 20 new investigators in southern Unity State, with a special focus on handling sexual violence cases. Prosecutors and investigators were also deployed in advance to receive and process the criminal complaints to be reviewed.
The court will operate from April 15 to May 9, 2025.
