South Sudan

Statehood came to South Sudan in mid-2011, accompanied by international goodwill. But the conflict which erupted in late 2013 inflamed latent political and ethnic tensions. This resulted in gross human rights violations and piled further pressure onto the fledgling justice delivery system. A peace agreement was signed in August 2015 under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union to end hostilities, and detailing the formation of a government of national unity. Justice sector institutions, including the Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, the Private Bar and the College of Law at the University of Juba, now have a vital role to play in restoring and strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring accountability and reconciliation.

IDLO is building the capacity of justice institutions and their staff to operate in South Sudan's new English-language, common-law legal system, as well as providing uniform, constant and standardized training to the country's legal and justice professionals.

Facilitating access to justice

Although South Sudan attained independence from Sudan in 2011, the country has since witnessed violent conflict and military infighting following subsequent political crises. The fragile political situation and ongoing conflict in the country has made it difficult for ordinary citizens to seek and access justice. Almost 90% of disputes are resolved in informal justice systems, and the uneven legal training in both Sudanese Sharia law and English common law have resulted in a weak legal and judicial system that has failed to provide effective legal remedies to South Sudanese citizens.

Collection of papers on human rights in South Sudan

IDLO and the University of Juba’s College of Law (COL) have published a collection of papers titled ‘Towards a People Centered Human Rights State in South Sudan’, initially presented by African academics and experts at a symposium held in May 20

Focusing on human rights issues in South Sudan

More than 120 participants attended a three-day symposium in South Sudan, organised by the College of Law (COL) and supported by IDLO, to promote awareness of and dialogue on contemporary human rights issues.

Symposium on Human Rights in South Sudan

To promote greater awareness and dialogue on contemporary human rights issues in South Sudan, the College of Law (COL) at the University of Juba in South Sudan, supported by IDLO, will host a three-day Symposium, providing a platform for academic discussion on important legal, political and human rights topics.

Evaluation of the Project “Enhancing the Capacity of the Judiciary of South Sudan"

As part of IDLO’s continuous commitment to accountability and results-based management, IDLO is pleased to share this Evaluation Brief (summarised evaluation report): “Enhancing the Capacity of the Judiciary of South Sudan”. The evaluation has been conducted by independent evaluation experts, supervised by IDLO’s Evaluation Unit. This exercise utilized a theory-driven, mixed-method approach, in line with the IDLO Evaluation Guidelines and OECD DAC standards.

South Sudan: Legal Skills for Civil Society

IDLO’s first legal course for representatives of civil society organizations (CSO), working to promote the rule of law, improve access to justice and support peace initiatives, has launched in South Sudan this week.

South Sudan: My Modest Contribution to Justice and Peace

by Stephen Mubiru, IDLO Lead Trainer, Juba

I first travelled from Uganda to Juba in 2009, as part of the IDLO team conducting justice sector training there. South Sudan itself did not yet exist as an independent country, there was an interim constitution and peace negotiations were ongoing.

South Sudan: Grappling with a New Legal System

Two years after becoming the world’s newest nation in 2011, South Sudan was plunged into fresh fighting. The conflict between government and rebel forces has displaced at least one-and-half million people. Some two-and-a-half million are facing severe food shortages.

Strengthening Justice Institutions in South Sudan

The conflict that erupted in South Sudan at the end of last year triggered sudden and massive changes throughout the fabric of South Sudanese society. It has inflamed the political and ethnic fracture lines that already existed across the country, resulting in gross human rights violations and adding pressure to an already challenged justice delivery system.

Key Initiatives

Facilitating access to justice

Although South Sudan attained independence from Sudan in 2011, the country has since witnessed violent conflict and military infighting following subsequent political crises. The fragile political situation and ongoing conflict in the country has made it difficult for ordinary citizens to seek and access justice. Almost 90% of disputes are resolved in informal justice systems, and the uneven legal training in both Sudanese Sharia law and English common law have resulted in a weak legal and judicial system that has failed to provide effective legal remedies to South Sudanese citizens.
Evaluation of the Project “Enhancing the Capacity of the Judiciary of South Sudan"

As part of IDLO’s continuous commitment to accountability and results-based management, IDLO is pleased to share this Evaluation Brief (summarised evaluation report): “Enhancing the Capacity of the Judiciary of South Sudan”. The evaluation has been conducted by independent evaluation experts, supervised by IDLO’s Evaluation Unit. This exercise utilized a theory-driven, mixed-method approach, in line with the IDLO Evaluation Guidelines and OECD DAC standards.
A Common Law Curriculum in South Sudan

As a long-term partner of the College of Law at the University of Juba, IDLO helped align the teaching system with South Sudan's new legal context and regional standards. With the majority of its justice sector professionals educated in Islamic/civil law, South Sudan faces the dual task of increasing its overall population of qualified legal professionals and simultaneously retraining practicing lawyers and prosecutors.
Scaling up the Justice System

IDLO is working with the Ministry of Justice to develop training methodology and curricula for both general and specialized, skills-based courses for Ministry of Justice public prosecutors, legal counsels and public and private lawyers, and members of civil society organizations. By developing legal training materials for justice professionals and working to establish a pool of qualified national trainers to engage in future legal training activities, IDLO is supporting the establishment of a Legal Training Institute.
A Brand New Judiciary for South Sudan

With a reliable justice system, the Judiciary of South Sudan plays a vital role to secure lasting peace and stability in South Sudan. To this end, IDLO is working with the Judiciary of South Sudan to enhance the capacity of judges, judicial support staff and judicial assistants in procedural, substantive legal subjects and English language skills. This capacity building serves to improve the quality and delivery of judicial services in line with the country’s laws and international standards.
Towards a Constitution for South Sudan

The National Constitutional Review Commission of South Sudan continues to consult with stakeholders and the public on the development of a Permanent Constitution for South Sudan. In the past, IDLO supported the National Constitutional Review Commission by providing technical expertise in particular aspects of the Constitution’s structure and substance. IDLO provided ongoing secretarial support to the coordination of the Commission’s activities.