By Philip Buda Ladu/UN
For the first time in more than ten years, people of Leer County, and surrounding area/counties in Unity State will have access to formal justice with the deployment of a mobile court supported by the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The initiative comes after years of conflict and insecurity forced the withdrawal of judges from Unity State in 2013, leaving communities reliant on customary courts, often ill-equipped to handle serious crimes.
The mobile court, officially opened by Unity State Governor Riek Bim Top Long, on Tuesday is set to hear over 60 cases of serious offenses including murder, rape, and other criminal acts from Leer, Mayiendit, Panyijjar, and Koch Counties in southern Unity starting Wednesday, 16, April, 2025.
The landmark event, witnessed by over 2000 people, stressed the immense importance placed on the return of formal justice to the region.
Governor Bim emphasized the significance of the mobile court, while addressing locals during the official launch of the mobile court in Leer town.
“Deploying a mobile court and establishing permanent justice in Unity State provides mechanisms for all South Sudanese to access justice, regardless of our political affiliations.” He further added, “We are working with the judiciary and partners to bring judges permanently back to Unity, enabling those who have suffered harm to receive justice.”
The absence of a formal justice system has created significant challenges for communities. Koch County Paramount Chief William Duop Kueth highlighted the limitations of customary courts.
“We are mandated to handle customary issues and are not equipped to try murder and rape cases. These matters need a well-trained judge.” He explained pledging community support for the mobile court, expressing hope that it “will help reduce crime and bring perpetrators to justice.”
The acting Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Unity, Stella Abayomi, echoed this sentiment, noting that the mobile court will address cases beyond the scope of traditional leaders, including “murder, sexual and gender-based violence, conflict-related sexual violence, and forced and early marriage.”
She stressed that “justice and accountability are key to decreasing crime, reducing violence against women, and improving security.”
The large presence of women at the court opening highlighted the disproportionate impact of conflict and crime, particularly sexual violence, on women and girls in South Sudan.
Maria Nyadak, a 20-year-old resident, expressed her hopes that the court will “help stop early and forced marriages in our community” and strengthen women’s rights.
She also called on the government to “design laws that address the huge challenges facing women and girls,” granting them “the complete freedom that we deserve.”
The mobile court is a collaborative effort between the judiciary of South Sudan, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Unity State government. It will be staffed by two High Court Judges, three court clerks, three defense attorneys, a prosecutor, and a victims’ advocate.
In preparation for the hearings, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and its partners, including the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience, and the Norwegian Embassy, supported the training of 20 new investigators in southern Unity, with a focus on handling sexual violence cases.
Prosecutors and investigators were also deployed in advance to receive and process criminal complaints.
The mobile court will operate from April 15th to May 9th, 2025, offering a crucial step towards restoring the rule of law and providing long-awaited justice to the communities of Leer and surrounding counties.