The Judicial Reform Committee, chaired by Justice James Ogoola, briefed the Minister of Justice on Monday about its ongoing consultations and progress in achieving the committee’s mandate.
The recent consultations took place in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria, Upper Nile States, and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
Speaking to reporters at the justice ministry after a meeting between the committee and the minister, Justice Ogoola said they engaged with various stakeholders who willingly shared their perspectives on judicial reform.
“In every location we visited, we ensured that the people of South Sudan had a voice. We, as the committee, listened attentively to their insightful conversations, representing individuals from all walks of life, including administrators, the political class, professionals, lawyers, judges, women, youth, business people, civil society, police, prisons, and even traditional leaders,” stated Justice Ogoola.
He emphasized the significance of considering the needs of the people as they play a paramount role in the reform of the judiciary, which represents the third arm of the state. Justice Ogola elaborated, “The people’s voices have been heard, and we have started to identify numerous challenges across various areas of the judiciary. These challenges encompass training for judges, police officers, prison staff, lawyers, and everyone involved in the judiciary. In essence, this concerns everyone.”
Dr. Gabriel Isaac Awow, the Acting Undersecretary in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, highlighted that judicial reform is a provision outlined in the 2018 peace agreement, necessitating the establishment of a body responsible for implementing reforms in personnel and infrastructure.
He assured that the process would be transparent to enable the South Sudanese population to understand the functioning of the judiciary and the challenges it faces.
Regarding the challenges encountered by the Judicial Reform Committee, Dr. Isaac confirmed the readiness of the Justice Minister to address them. “In response to these concerns, the Justice Minister has pledged to take up funding-related matters as well as unpaid arrears and ensure the rights of national committee members are duly recognized. The minister will present these issues to the leadership to ensure their resolution and guarantee the smooth operation of the committee until they complete their mandate and submit the report to the government through the Minister of Justice,” Dr. Isaac explained.
The Judicial Reform Committee was inaugurated by the government in July 2022. The body is tasked with reviewing relevant laws, advising on judicial reforms and the restructuring of the Judiciary to enhance its effectiveness.