Alan Benson
South Sudan Bar Association has welcomed elevation of judges in the judicial system but calls for deeper institutional reforms.
Secretary General of the Bar Association, Wani Samuel appreciated President’s move to reform the Judiciary.
“We (BAR Association) are welcoming this with a very open heart. We are very happy that this has happened, and we encourage more reforms within the judiciary,” Wani said.
Speaking to No. 1 Citizen Dailly Newspaper, Wani said that the promotions align with the judicial strategic plan.
“Within the strategic plan, there were clear initiatives to have more judges in the Supreme court and also in the court of appeal and different other courts,” he added.
Wani acknowledged that reforms at Judiciary system would help ensure judicial independence, accountability and effectiveness.
The Secretary of South Sudan Bar Association was commending follow a Presidential Decree aired on national broadcaster SSBC, promoting justices and judges
Six judges from the Court of Appeal were elevated to justices in the Supreme Court and 18 others from High court promoted to the Court of Appeal.
Other similar promotions were also effected in grade one and two of County Courts, which analysts view as a step toward rebuilding a weakened justice sector.
Wani urged both the government and judiciary to look into the other reforms within the strategic plan and ensure its implementation.
Key among these reforms is the welfare of the judges which Wani stressed need a serious consideration.
“The welfare of the judges is something that needs to be reconsidered. If not, it could lead to some misconducts,” he remarked.
As partners in the rule of law and access to justice, Wani pledged the BAR association’s support to the judiciary with all the available resources and ensure that there is a legal system accessible for all South Sudanese.
“We now look forward to the deployment of the promoted judges, so justice will not only be accessible in Juba but across the ten states and Administrative Areas,” Wani said.
Civil society has expressed cautious optimism to the promotions in the judiciary.
Activist Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of Centre for Peace and Advocacy, said the changes, though long overdue, represent a fresh start for a judiciary that had been plagued by public distrust, case backlogs, and limited accessibility.
“If you look at South Sudanese citizens, they do not trust the judiciary system in the country due to lots of cases over the years that have gone on without trial,” he said.
“I think this one is going to reduce a lot of cases that have overstayed in the courts for long,’ Ter added.