Chief justice says ‘independence of judiciary under threat’

JUBA – South Sudan’ Chief Justice, Chan Reec Madut has said that the independence of judiciary in the world’s youngest country is under threat from people who include those working from inside the institution.

“In practice, there is no respect for judicial independence, and to be frank, there has been an abuse of judges by some local authorities in South Sudan that includes a physical attack on judges,” Reech said at consultative workshop on judicial reforms and permanent constitution-making process in Juba on Monday.

Madut said the country lack an independent constitutional court that deals with issues connected to decisions on constitutional matters.

“We do not have an independent constitutional court; it is the same Supreme Court that also handles constitutional matters,” he said.

He decried poor and delay in payment of judges’ salaries in the country.

“If judges can go for two to six months without salaries, it is making it impossible for us to appoint or recruit new judges,” the chief justice said.

He stressed the need to build the capacity of judges to develop their legal linguistic skills in order to reform the judicial system of South Sudan.

“We need more training for judges and judicial personnel especially in English is the official language, most of our judges are still writing in Arabic,” he said.

Christy Ahenkora, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to South Sudan said South Sudan can’t have political and economic development without a strong legal system.

“We have a specific niche on how judiciary is reform. We can support justice and make justice work for the poor and the disadvantaged people,” Ahenkora said at the workshop.

She said an independent judicial system can contribute to the democratic political transformation in the country.

“We believe that access to justice for women not only promotes gender equality and empowerment but also laid an important foundation for long-term growth, peaceful and inclusive society,” she disclosed.

She said judicial reforms are prominent for the promotion of inclusive development in the country.

“Judicial reforms are important, they connect with other constitutional elements which promote inclusive development and also provide a sound legal system that will advance political and economic development in South Sudan,” she added.