Customary law courts at the payam and boma levels have resumed operations in Rumbek Central County following the conclusion of chieftaincy elections, local authorities said.
County officials on Friday briefed newly elected chiefs from payams and bomas on resuming their duties. The meeting was organized by Lakes State Minister of Local Government Mabor Meen Wol and Rumbek Central County Commissioner Dut Manak Akuot. It was attended by 120 chiefs from all seven payams in the county.
Sultan Sabit Kuac, head chief of the Cueiadukan Payam regional court, told Radio Tamazuj that chiefs were pleased to have their mandates renewed by their communities.
“We are happy to the community and the government of Lakes State for renewing our mandates,” he said. “We have now been briefed to return to our places of work in the community.”
Kuac said chiefs were elected by communities from the boma level up to the payam level and have been instructed to resume their functions despite challenges.
“There are challenges facing us in the community, and we shall keep talking about them,” he said.
He emphasized that customary cases should begin at the lowest level of the traditional justice system.
“We want our community to begin their cases from the boma executive chief and sub-chief before the case reaches the head chief of the payam,” Kuac said. “If you fail to secure your right at the lowest level, then you can appeal to the head chief of the payam and later to the county court paramount chief.”
Kuac urged residents not to bypass lower customary courts by taking cases directly to county or state courts.
“Some cases are now being referred back from county courts or state high courts to the payam or boma level after sub-chiefs, executive chiefs or head chiefs were overstepped,” he said. “This has been a challenge for a long time.”
He called on authorities to return cases such as girl pregnancies, elopements, adultery, cattle disputes and theft of goats or chickens to boma and payam customary courts.
“These local cases are ours under customary law, but they are now being tried in county or state high courts,” he said. “We urge our brothers in counties to return such cases to us.”
Kuac also raised concern over what he described as the random detention of chiefs by authorities.
“This was discussed during the Agar community conference, and it was resolved that if there is an issue involving a chief, it should first be handled within the community before any arrest,” he said.
Commissioner Dut Manak Akuot said the meeting focused on guiding chiefs on how to resume their duties in line with the Local Government Act of 2009, as amended in 2011.
“We have one paramount chief, nine regional court presidents, 22 executive chiefs and 88 sub-chiefs, making a total of 120 chiefs in Rumbek Central County,” Akuot said. “These are chiefs elected by their communities and witnessed by the government and the electoral committee.”
Akuot said the newly elected chiefs were instructed to prioritize stability, timely dispute resolution and development in their communities.
“They must sit in their sections and handle cases within the community, not loiter in town or offices,” he said.
He warned police, lawyers and courts against taking cases that fall under customary jurisdiction.
“The chiefs have the right to appeal to my office and to the minister of local government if their cases are taken without their knowledge,” Akuot said. “There are relevant cases that must be handled by local chiefs, and this must be respected.”
He urged citizens to follow proper legal procedures and avoid opening cases in military barracks or other unauthorized places.
“Cases such as girl pregnancies and elopements should be addressed by local chiefs unless they are criminal matters,” he said.
Akuot said chieftaincy elections in Rumbek Central County were conducted peacefully and thanked communities for their cooperation.
Lakes State Minister of Local Government Mabor Meen Wol said the state is currently conducting chieftaincy elections, starting with Rumbek Central County.
“We have concluded elections in Rumbek Central County, and I met with those who succeeded to report back to their positions,” Wol said.
He said the chiefs were granted judicial powers and instructed to immediately resume their duties.
“We congratulated them, gave them judicial powers and reminded them to discharge their duties lawfully as required by the government and the community,” he said.