Kumba blames failure of judicial reform efforts on 2013 conflict  

JUBA – The Speaker of the Transitional National Legislature Assembly, Jemma Nunu Kumba, is attributing the failure of the country’s Judiciary transformation to the 2013 war, claiming that the conflict diverted the government’s attention from judiciary reform to the implementation of the peace process.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, and two years later, the nation plunged into war in 2013, displacing thousands and resulting in casualties.

The conflict was characterized by a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and his first Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.

Speaking during a meeting organized by the Judicial Reform Committee yesterday, Kumba claimed that the country had never had enough time, since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) through the country’s independence.

“We never had enough time to look at our system because, since we signed the agreement in 2005 (CPA), everybody was busy with the implementation of the peace agreement and the referendum. After 2011, we were trying to sit down and work on our institution and review what we inherited,” she said.

“Unfortunately, only two years down the line, we went to war in 2013. During the war, people were focused on how to end the war. Now we have the transition, a very complicated peace agreement that we are grappling with. Fortunately, one of the provisions in the peace agreement is the reform, reform in the laws we have,” she added.

Kumba identified key pillars that need implementation to reform the judiciary, addressing the challenges within the institution. She emphasized the need for an independent and impartial judiciary, free from interference by other branches of the government to uphold the rule of law.

The senior SPLM official also emphasized the necessity for the government to provide legal aid to ensure accessibility for the elderly, women, and others who may struggle with legal fees.

She stressed the importance of establishing a legal and transparent judiciary system, highlighting that justice delayed is justice denied.

Kumba further called for capacity-building programs for judges, court personnel, and legal professionals to maintain competence in the judiciary and address corruption issues.

The implementation of anti-corruption measures was underscored to tackle corruption effectively within the judicial system.