LocationsFight against Gender Based Violence in South Sudan continues.
October 13, 2025
Representation of judges and lawyers participating in the mobile court
UNDP in partnership with the Judiciary of South Sudan and with support from the Kingdom of Netherlands, launched yet another activity to fight against gender-based violence in South Sudan. This time through mobile courts set to bring access to justice to survivors and perpetrators by deliberating the backlog of delayed cases.
Although UNDP’s fight against GBV began before 2020, it is with the support gained from generous donors like the Kingdom of Netherlands and the United Kingdom that supported the establishment of the first Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Juvenile Court in the country and furthermore the to the construction of a survivor sensitive and child friendly waiting room dedicated to the counseling of child survivors in 2022 respectively.
These interventions greatly impacted GBV cases tried and increased public awareness of the GBV and Juvenile courts in the country. The project also achieved a strengthened capacity of Civil Society Organizations, Media Organizations on reporting cases, and increased the capacity of judges, and administrative personnel of the GBV and Juvenile courts, established quarterly feedback mechanisms, enhanced oversights and accountability of human rights principles, improved working conditions of staff, and facilitated a benchmarking tour to GBV and Juvenile courts in Kenya.
However, challenges remain, such as those affecting legal staff through; delayed salary disbursements, the lack of operational resources needed for the purchase of fuel for the backup generator for running the courts and inmates’ trucks to transport the accused persons to case hearings. Furthermore, during deliberation of cases the limited number of translators means there’s communication breakdown, challenging the clarity of case proceedings. Finally, the small number of GBV and Juvenile Court judges contributes to a significant backlog of cases and delays in the delivery of justice for survivors.
Group Photo at the launch of the mobile court at Juba Prison
Launch of the Mobile Court
The launch of this GBV Mobile Court on Tuesday 23rd September 2025, was a decisive response towards the challenges of overcrowding and a large backlog of cases at the Juba National Prison. The swift resolution of these cases would mean that survivors facing stigma and their families who have long waited for justice can finally heal and rebuild their lives.
Justice William Kaya Pacifico, Justice of Board of the Supreme Court and the Director of training and research, Judiciary South Sudan, during the launch quoted the Chief Justice who referred to the case back logs and overcrowded prisons as ‘a shame on the judiciary’ on a visit to the Prisons. Justice William then said that he recognizes the need for a collective effort to decongest the prisons. “He further reiterated that this is an expedition of the delayed cases, and we want it to go very fast and finish it.”
Catherine Waliaula, UNDP’s Governance and Access to Justice Advisor said, “the establishment of the GBV Mobile Court at Juba National Prison is a decisive response to these challenges, bringing justice closer to survivors and expediting the handling of GBV cases within the correctional setting. It not only upholds the rights of survivors but also sends a clear message: gender-based violence will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be held accountable.”
The technical team deployed for the GBV mobile court are due to start their sessions on 23rd September to 27th October 2025 (30 days) at the Juba National Prison with
Judges; Lawrence Jaja, Aman Alhadi Mohamed, Abulgasim Elsadig Sube and Faskulina Anyang Angelo,
Four Defense Attorneys; Rexon Dukaru, Akuei Manyuen, Sabir Ali Bullen, Margaret Fonziano,
Four Public Persecutors; Advocate Latjor Kueth, Bior Phillip, Wafa Khamis, Maryu Lado, four National Prison Service; Capt. Jackline Steven, Maj. Guliver Friday, 1st Lt. David Deng, S/M. Charles Thomas,
Two Social Workers; Charity Denis Mogga, Luna Mathew,
Two Clerks; Joseph Sokiri, Luna Mathew and
Seven Court Police; Lt. Farjalla Khamis, S/M Joyce Kenneth, Sgt Amuk Deng, Betty Vicky, W/O Lilie Simon, Santino Garang, S/M David Gabriel Kon.
