South Sudan ratifies two UN conventions on drugs and organized crime

JUBA – South Sudan’s parliament on Wednesday ratified two United Nations conventions aimed at combating illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.

The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) approved the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the 2000 United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols.

The conventions were tabled in parliament in June by Justice Minister Ruben Madol after receiving cabinet approval.

Oliver Mori Benjamin, chairman of the parliamentary committee for information and communication, hailed the move as a significant step for South Sudan in addressing global crime challenges.

“On the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988, this was thoroughly discussed by the house and after thorough deliberation, it was ratified by the convention of 1988,” Benjamin told reporters.

He said the convention on transnational organized crime would help South Sudan combat cross-border criminal activities.

“The U.N. Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and protocol thereto. This one is related to organized crimes by the state and people committing these crimes go to other countries to commit them,” Benjamin said.

“Sometimes when they are asked to be brought back to countries, they committed these crimes, certain countries wouldn’t allow it. This is very important after South Sudan joined this convention, it became country number 193 in the world and so this is a very important step for South Sudan as a member of the U.N. to deal with transnational crimes all over the world,” he added.

The 1988 drug trafficking convention provides a framework for international cooperation in combating the production, trafficking, and distribution of illicit drugs.

The 2000 organized crime convention focuses on preventing and combating transnational organized crime through measures such as extradition, mutual legal assistance, and asset recovery.