UNITY – The recent deployment of a mobile court in Mayom county in South Sudan’s Unity state, has concluded, handling 31 cases, securing 24 convictions, and releasing 22 prisoners over six weeks.

This initiative brings South Sudan closer to extending formal justice to all its citizens, even in the most remote areas.

Mobile courts, a collaboration between South Sudan’s judiciary and Government, as well as the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), bring justice to locations lacking access to formal legal systems.

Since this young nation’s independence and subsequent civil wars, areas such as Mayom have not had a judiciary presence. Decades of conflict and climate crises have devastated government infrastructure, forcing many communities to rely on customary courts, which often struggle with complex legal cases.

Mayom’s Paramount Chief, Nhial Gatluak Kulang, who heads the county customary court, expressed his desire to integrate formal court procedures into the customary system and called for regular mobile court visits to enhance local justice delivery.

“We are often left with no choice but to make judgments on cases that are far beyond our jurisdiction. We welcome the mobile court because they can help resolve more serious cases like rape and murder,” he said outside a sitting of the temporary Mayom High Court.

Several cases heard involved sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Gatlek Puot Roah, Sub-Chief of Wangkai payam [administrative division], acted as the complainant for his daughter, a rape victim.

“These types of cases are rarely addressed in the customary court. I did not think I would see justice until the mobile courts came. This will deter others from committing similar acts now that they know there are serious consequences,” he said.

The man who attacked Gatlek’s daughter was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to provide compensation.

Drusilla Kore Mustafa, a legal aid worker, highlighted the importance of accountability for SGBV-related crimes in areas where perpetrators have long gone unpunished.

“Survivors are very happy with the judgments, which have provided them a sense of relief and the ability to move forward,” she added.

The impact of these temporary judiciary deployments can be profound, even in the short time they are hosted in a community. Mayom Prison Director, Brigadier General Marco Maluk, noted.

“Crime has reduced in just the few weeks the courts have been here. Despite new convictions, our prison is much emptier. This is the power of formal justice.”

Building on the success of recent mobile courts in Koch and now Mayom, there is a growing community push for greater access to the formal justice system across the country, including establishing a permanent judiciary presence in Unity and other remote areas.

The Norwegian Embassy provided critical support to Mayom’s mobile court furthering accountability, especially for SGBV related crimes, and providing support to victims throughout the criminal justice process.

These joint efforts are vital in bringing justice to the people of Mayom and other communities in South Sudan.