South Sudan justice minister to respond to Political Parties Council on registration fees

JUBA – South Sudan’s Justice Minister, Ruben Madol, is expected to write a comprehensive response to the Political Parties Council (PPC) regarding the disputed $75,000 party registration fee.

This follows questions raised on Monday in parliament by Bol Joseph Agau, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing Nyirol West County. Agau challenged the Ministry of Justice’s decision after the PPC maintained the controversial $75,000 fee.

“When you, Minister Madol, responded to the advocate on May 20, 2024, and copied the PPC with the information, your response was clear – you nullified and voided the registration fees,” Agau said.

“However, the PPC chairperson, James Akol Zakayo, has deliberately and with apparent disregard for the Ministry’s position, maintained the $75,000 fee,” he added.

Agau, a member of the National Democratic Movement Party under the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), argued that “legal advice issued by the Ministry of Justice should be heeded by all government entities.”

“If there’s another interpretation of the law, Mr. Zakayo should inform the House about the alternative legal basis he’s relying on,” Agau said.

Minister Madol responded by citing Article 135 of South Sudan’s constitution, which designates his ministry as the chief legal advisor to the government.

“Legally, in our view, the PPC’s procedure for determining the fees was flawed,” Madol said. “They relied on a piece of legislation in a way that was irregular. We advised that the fee be considered null and void, and the matter dropped.”

According to the constitution, Madol said, legal advice from his ministry is binding on all relevant government institutions.

He outlined two options if an institution disagrees with the advice: challenging the advice in court or referring it to the cabinet for further discussion.

“The PPC chairperson responded last Thursday, requesting that I withdraw the legal advice,” Madol said.

“He attached legal advice from a private lawyer he hired. I’m currently in the process of responding to that request through the established legal process. That’s the information I can give you at this time. Whether it addresses your concerns is for you to decide,” he added.