LEER, Unity State- For the first time in more than ten years, the Government of South Sudan has deployed a mobile court to Leer County, Unity State, bringing long-overdue access to formal justice for local communities. From 15 April to 9 May 2025, a team of judges, prosecutors, and investigators will be on the ground to hear cases and deliver justice.
This important initiative is a joint effort by the Judiciary of South Sudan, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Unity State Government, with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Official said the mobile court will focus on handling serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and forced and early marriage.
To mark the official opening on 15 April, the Governor of Unity State and senior representatives from the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), and National Prisons Service of South Sudan (NPSSS) are expected to attend.
In preparation, 20 new investigators have been trained in southern Unity State, specializing in handling SGBV and CRSV-related offenses. On 28 March, UNMISS facilitated the early deployment of prosecutors and investigators to begin receiving and processing cases. By the time the mobile court opens, over 60 cases had already been reported, with more expected.
The mobile court will address both criminal and civil matters, offering much-needed legal remedies to communities that have gone years without formal justice services.
“Mobile courts, while not a substitute for permanent judicial institutions, are a vital and innovative tool to rebuild public trust in the rule of law in South Sudan,” said Guang Cong, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Political), UNMISS.
This deployment is a key step toward strengthening justice delivery and protecting human rights, especially for vulnerable groups affected by violence and conflict.
