Authorities in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) have called for the establishment of a permanent justice system after the mobile court operating there concluded its mandate last week, leaving a significant backlog of unresolved cases.
The mobile court, established by the judiciary on March 10, 2025, ended its operations on April 9 after adjudicating only 37 cases—far fewer than the 429 pending.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, GPAA Local Government Minister Peter Ajany Kaimoi expressed concerns over the absence of a permanent court.
“The lack of a judiciary is challenging. There is a backlog of 429 cases across the GPAA due to the shortage of judges,” Ajany said.
“We have repeatedly appealed for permanent judges, but none have arrived yet. One judge was assigned to us, but he remains in Juba. The absence of a functioning judiciary is contributing to violence,” he added.
“Recently, we received a mobile court that managed to handle 51 cases. We are pleased that many disputes were resolved, and we requested an extension. However, this request was not approved,” he explained.
Sebit Bullen Lako, who headed the Pibor mobile court, described their mission as successful but joined the call for a permanent High Court in the GPAA.
“During our time there, we handled 37 cases. I delivered 22 verdicts, while the remaining cases were ruled on by my first-grade judge colleague,” he said.
“Indeed, the lack of a judiciary is a major challenge. Many cases require the attention of a permanent High Court judge. The good news is that a judge named Paris Odiel has been assigned to Pibor, though he has yet to assume his duties,” Lako stated.
Bol Deng Bol, from the civil society organization INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), warned that the absence of a judiciary is fueling violence and a culture of impunity in the troubled region.
“Greater Pibor would benefit greatly from the presence of a High Court judge. For instance, the recent sentencing of a man for child abduction—now serving a jail term in Juba—shows the importance of a strong judiciary,” he said.