Chief Justice Madut spotted at SPLM rally in Wau sparking questions on judicial independence

JUBA, JULY 4, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut has appeared in the rally being conducted in Western Bahr el Ghazal’s capital Wau by the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation  Movement (SPLM), sparking questions on the country’s judicial independence.

The SPLM party is organizing a rally in Wau for President Kiir to launch his campaign. Photos circulating on social media shows Madut moving with Kiir’s supporters including former governor of Warrap State Aleu Anyieny at a local stadium where the rally will take place.

This is not the first time for Chief Justice Madut to appear at an SPLM rally.

In 2014, he attended a political rally conducted by the SPLM to welcome President Salva Kiir as “hero” for refusing to reach an agreement with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Machar in Addis Ababa.

Following the establishment of 28 states in October 2015, Madut also wrote a congratulatory message praising “the Chairman of the SPLM” for creating the controversial states, sparking controversy among the citizens.

The latest appearance by Chief Justice Madut at the SPLM political rally has been criticized by prominent citizens who argue that it violates the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches of government.

Former deputy minister of defense and senior member of the opposition SPLM Former Detainees Majak D’Agot said the Chief Justice’s presence at a political rally is a violation of the law and oath of nonpartisanship.

“If true, this makes me sad. How could a Chief Justice stop this law violating his oath of office of being nonpartisan? What’s the whole concept of the Rule of Law & Separation of Powers all about? Let’s embark on a state building or be a laughingstock & a semblance of anarchism,” he said.

Advocate Akuot Akok questioned South Sudan’s judicial independence and called the attendance of the rally by the Chief Justice a violation of article 125 of the country’s transitional constitution.

“How independent is our judiciary branch to address the elections disputes between SPLM and other opposition parties in case there would be irregularities?” he asked.

“Judiciary is SPLMized which is a violation of article 125(1) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan,2011 . Elections will never be fair, free, and credible,”  he added.