By Alan Clement
President Salva Kiir has directed the newly appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Dr. Joseph Geng Akec to reform the system and restore public trust in legal institutions.
Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for newly-appointed officials in Juba on Wednesday, President Kiir urged the newly appointed Justice Minister to ensure that the justice system works for the people, emphasizing that accountability and integrity.
According to the statement from President press Unit, Kiir directing Minister Akec to reform the justice sector.
“President Kiir directed the newly appointed Minister of Justice, Dr. Joseph Geng Akec, to prioritize delivering fair and impartial justice to the people of South Sudan by reforming the justice system” the statement partly read
Among those sworn in were Mary Nawai Martin as Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Sherif Daniel Sherif as Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, and Sarah Peter Nyot as Counsel General in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, with the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Dr. Benjamin Baak Deng.
Kiir’s directive to Dr. Akec aligns with South Sudan’s newly launched five-year judicial reform plan (2025–2029), backed by UNDP and UNMISS, which seeks to build a more independent, efficient, and accessible legal system by tackling persistent challenges like case backlogs, understaffing, and inadequate infrastructure in underserved regions.
Addressing the new appointees, President Kiir emphasized that leadership is not a privilege but a duty to serve. “From today, serve the people and not yourself,” he urged, calling for integrity and institutional performance.
The appointment of Dr. Akec signals a renewed commitment to legal reform at a time when public trust in the justice system remains fragile. As the country prepares for elections and grapples with economic and security challenges, the role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law has never been more critical.
Furthermore, in his directives, the Head of State reminded the new officials that their positions were an opportunity to serve the public, not a personal privilege. “From today, serve the people and not yourself,” he stressed.
He called on all the newly sworn-in leaders to uphold integrity and commitment in their service, aligning with his administration’s goal of rebuilding public trust and advancing peace and development across South Sudan.
However, on his part Dr. Joseph Geng Akec the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs reaffirmed his commitment to ensure transformation to in the legal sector.