LEER/JUBA –  The first justice presence through a mobile court in Leer county, Unity state, in over a decade, has successfully concluded its proceedings on 8 May.

The mobile court, an initiative led by the Unity state Government, the Judiciary of South Sudan, and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), began hearing cases on 15 April. The court addressed a total of 57 criminal and civil cases in southern Unity, including murder, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as well as forced and early marriage.

The court adjudicated 32 criminal cases, convicting 28 people; while 11 were acquitted, or cases against them were dismissed. Moreover, it ensured the release of nine people who were wrongfully incarcerated.

Notably, the mobile court delivered verdicts on eight SGBV cases, resulting in eight convictions. Five members of the security forces were among those held accountable.

Additionally, the court brought long-awaited justice to victims and their families for murder and other violent crimes.

“Through the Leer mobile court, the Unity state government and the Judiciary of South Sudan enabled women and children, those living in poverty, and other marginalized segments of the society to access justice and receive redress” said Guang Cong, Deputy Special Representative, UNMISS.

“These joint efforts in remote areas of the country demonstrate that access to justice for all is vital in reducing violence, resolving deep-rooted grievances, ending abuse and exploitation of women and children, and enabling durable peace and stability to take root,” added DSRSG Cong. 

The Leer mobile court was funded by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience (RSRTF) and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Juba.

Note to Editors:

• Judges have decided 314 cases through the deployment of mobile courts in Koch, Mayom, Bentiu and Leer since February 2024.
• The Leer mobile court deployment was preceded by a training for 20 new investigators in southern Unity. Additionally, from 28 March – 14 April, UNMISS facilitated the advance deployment of prosecutors and investigators to receive and process criminal complaints. Over 100 criminal cases were reported during the investigation mission and mobile court.
• The growing demand for justice in Unity state prompted the State Governor to support a mobile court in Bentiu in December 2024.

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Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson, Priyanka Chowdhury at chowdhury20@un.org or unmiss-spokesperson@un.org