South Sudan Judges and Justices on Tuesday declared a nationwide strike to demand better working conditions, an increase in salaries and the reinstatement of leave benefits.
The strike came after the judges ’ committee last week suspended the open-ended strike in order to engage in negotiations with President Kiir’s office. The group is also demanding the resignation or removal of the Chief Justice, Chan Reec Madut.
“Now the strike has started, all of us across the country are on strike,” said Justice Khalid Mohammad Abdalla, chairperson of the South Sudan judges’ committee on Tuesday.
Justice Abdalla further said they had asked the committee formed by President Kiir to look into their grievances, but the committee has failed to response.
Last year, judges across South Sudan staged a month-long strike citing the same complaints they made this year. The strike ended after the relevant authorities promised to fulfil their demands, but up until now, could not implement some of the demands.