MUNDRI - A mobile court deployed to Mundri, Western Equatoria, has resulted in 14 convictions and the acquittal of 16 accused individuals during hearings conducted between 18 to 31 March 2026.
The court, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan with funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Juba, considered 28 criminal cases and two civil cases.
Nine cases involved murder. Three were dismissed, three acquitted, and three convicted, with sentences ranging from life imprisonment to six years in jail and a significant fine.
The deployment also highlighted the deeply concerning prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in Greater Mundri with six convictions recorded for crimes, including rape. For the survivors, it was the first time they had an opportunity to secure accountability through a formal justice mechanism for the immense harm they have suffered.
Throughout the process, UNMISS’ Rule of Law Section and Human Rights Division provided comprehensive protection measures, in coordination with partners, civil society and local authorities. These measures, including psychosocial support for survivors, families and those accused, engaging legal representatives to prepare survivors for testimony, and facilitating transport and accommodation, strengthened participation and confidence in court proceedings.
UNMISS also provided technical support to the judicial authorities, guidance to prosecutors and investigators, and on-site monitoring throughout the court process.
The Greater Mundri mobile court is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the justice chain across South Sudan by enhancing access, ending prolonged detention, and contributing to the decongestion of overcrowded prisons.
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Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson at unmiss-spokesperson@un.org