The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has handed over a newly constructed office to the Public Prosecutor in Yei Town Payam, Central Equatoria State, in a move aimed at strengthening justice delivery and the rule of law in the county.
The facility, built under UNMISS’s rule of law support program, was officially handed over on Wednesday to the Yei Town Payam Public Prosecutor. The initiative seeks to enhance access to justice, protect public interests, and ensure fair enforcement of laws.
Njoki Rahab Kinyanjui, head of the UNMISS field office in Central Equatoria State, said during the handover ceremony that the project was identified as a top priority by local authorities to boost accountability and the justice chain mechanism.
“I’m very humbled to see the completion of this work,” Kinyanjui said. “It was presented to us as a priority for the county in strengthening the rule of law, accountability and the justice chain mechanism, and we are proud to be part of it.”
She reaffirmed UNMISS’s commitment to continue supporting local authorities and justice institutions in Yei and surrounding areas.
“We will continue supporting this as part of our mandate, and we hope this facility will enhance the work of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and strengthen the rule of law, which are prerequisites for personal security,” she added.
Local residents and activists welcomed the development, saying the new facility would improve access to justice in Yei River County and neighboring Lainya and Morobo counties, which currently share one prosecutor.
Community activist Yeka Joel said the lack of a dedicated office had long hampered the prosecutor’s work.
“It has been a challenge because the attorney shared office space with the gender department,” Joel said. “Now, with the new six-room office funded by UNMISS, the prosecutor can better serve the people of greater Yei.”
Lotiyu Joseph, a resident of Lomuku 2, said the office would help expedite legal proceedings.
“We are happy because the attorney now has his own office to handle cases efficiently,” he said. “Previously, cases piled up at the police and prison due to lack of space. This new office will help ensure minor cases are handled in time.”
Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme, who attended the ceremony, praised UNMISS for its continued support to local governance and justice institutions.
“It is a remarkable day,” Taban said. “The people of Yei are very happy to receive this facility, which will help ensure that justice takes place for anyone violating or undermining the law.”
UNMISS has been supporting infrastructure development across South Sudan to strengthen rule of law institutions, including courts, prosecutor offices, and police facilities, as part of its peacekeeping and stabilization mandate.