The justice system in Jonglei has been stalled for over two months following the dismissal of John Yel Aleu as High Court President.
Bol stated that the prolonged delay in naming a new High Court President is severely hindering access to justice for Jonglei’s residents, raising alarm among legal observers and the public.
The lack of a permanent High Court judge is worsening existing issues, including a mounting backlog of cases and the risk of judicial “inner decay” in informal justice mechanisms.
“Access to justice and due process is a fundamental human right enshrined in our Transitional Constitution and international conventions ratified by South Sudan, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These rights must not be delayed or denied,” Bol said.
He noted that the former High Court President often highlighted the overwhelming caseload and the shortage of high court judges across South Sudan.
Bol added that frequent deployments to mobile courts in other states left many cases in Jonglei unresolved, a problem now aggravated by the current vacancy. “Previously, the High Court President was a critical advisor and final arbiter for informal justice mechanisms, ensuring oversight and guidance.”
Without this key figure, there is growing concern that these courts may stray from legal principles, potentially undermining due process and fair outcomes, he explained.
The extended absence of a High Court President directly affects citizens’ ability to have their cases heard promptly, eroding the principles of justice and fairness.
There is an increasing call for judicial authorities to accelerate the appointment process for the High Court President in Jonglei State.
Bol stressed that a swift appointment is essential to tackle the growing backlog, restore effective oversight to informal justice systems, and uphold the fundamental right to justice for all citizens in Jonglei State.
