![South Sudan Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut speaking during the opening of local court in Juba, South Sudan, on December 3, 2020 [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DSCF8872-scaled.jpg?resize=2560%2C1440&ssl=1)
Chief Justice Madut on Monday sparked controversy after he appeared at a rally in Western Bahr el Ghazal State’s capital Wau where President Salva Kiir would launch his campaign for president in the presidential elections slated for December 2024.
In reaction, South Sudan activist and government critic Wani Michael called Madut’s presence at the rally a ‘disgrace’ and called on him to resigned immediately.
“I’ve said it many times that South Sudan doesn’t have a Chief Justice because Hon. Justice Chan Reec Madut is already a disgrace to the Judiciary and should resign from his position with immediate effect,” Michael said.
“He’s purely an SPLM member and doesn’t qualify to hold the position of the Chief Justice as the Constitution provides. He can’t preside over an independent judiciary which’s supposed to deal with elections disputes,” he added.
Yoal Gatkuoth, an activist also, said that she was “sad” to see the Chief Justice at the rally.
“Where is the Independence of the Judiciary here?” she asked.
Gabriel Kuot, a lawyer, said that Madut’s involvement in SPLM activities was an indication that the upcoming elections results would not be free, fair, and credible.
“The complainants who may dispute elections results will have no avenue to claim their rights and get their grievances addressed impartially since judiciary is already splmized,” Kuot said.
“We therefore urge Hon. Chandit to resign and fulfill his political ambition in SPLM-LED Government failure to do so may prompt my Firm to file a petition based on the public interest,” he added.
Madut has not yet commented on the calls for his resignation.
The pressure on Madut to resign comes at a time when South Sudan is preparing for its first democratic elections since independence in 2011.
The elections are scheduled to be held in December 2024, but there are concerns that they will not be free and fair.
it’s a disgrace indeed to independent body, I concur with the rest let him resign with a promptly effect.