By Kei Emmanuel Duku
A recent deployment of the Mobile Court system in Unity State, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Juba, has finalized 135 cases, marking a crucial step in re-establishing the formal justice system. The court, which sat from September 29, delivered decisions that included:
The court’s presence is particularly significant as the formal justice system in Unity State had been non-operational for 12 years.
The mobile court successfully adjudicated 45 criminal cases, resulting in the conviction of 40 individuals. Eighteen people were either acquitted or had their cases dismissed.
Of the cases heard, the court delivered decisions on six Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases, resulting in two convictions. Notably, 17 of the overall cases were brought by women who had been subjected to SGBV-related criminal acts, such as forced marriage and domestic violence.
Prior to the court’s sitting, an advanced deployment of the investigation team was dispatched on September 22. This team secured the release of 99 people who were either wrongfully imprisoned or had already served their sentences. Of those set free, six cases involved members of the security forces.
Anees Ahmed, Director of UNMISS’ Rule of Law Advisory Section, highlighted the court’s role in initiating this process, enabling access to justice for “women and children, those living in poverty, and other marginalized areas of Unity State.”
Ahmed further emphasized the impact, noting:
“These joint efforts have seen six mobile court deployments in Unity State since February 2024, demonstrating significant demand for access to justice through the formal justice system given its contributions to breaking cycles of violence, reducing abuse and exploitation of women and children, and fostering conditions for durable peace.”
Over 150 criminal cases were reported during the initial investigation phase, though the actual number addressed by the court was reduced through the investigation process.
Since the initiative was established, a total of five mobile courts have been deployed in Unity State between 2024 and 2025, with the first courts deployed in Koch, Mayom, and Leer counties since 2013. The judges in the mobile courts decided a total of 449 cases between 2024 and 2025—a major achievement considering no cases were decided by the formal justice system in the state in 2023. This frequency is attributed to the growing demand for justice, which prompted the Governor of Unity to support a mobile court in Bentiu in December 2024.
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UNMISS affirmed it will continue to support the Unity State Government, the Judiciary of South Sudan, and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to implement the necessary requirements for judicial processes to permanently operate in Bentiu.