The first judicial presence through a mobile court in Leer County, Unity State, in over a decade, concluded its proceedings on May 8.
The 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 April 15.
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.
Additionally, the court adjudicated 32 criminal cases, convicting 28 people, while 11 were acquitted or had their cases dismissed. It also secured the release of nine people who had been wrongfully incarcerated.
Notably, the mobile court delivered verdicts in eight SGBV cases, resulting in eight convictions. Five members of the security forces were among those held accountable.
The court also provided long-awaited justice to victims and their families in murder and other violent crime cases.
“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 society to access justice and receive redress,” said Guang Cong, the deputy special representative of 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,” Cong added.
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.