(PIBOR) – A mobile court operating in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area has so far handled 15 cases in its second sitting, with legal officials praising the initiative as a major improvement in access to justice for local communities.
According to the region’s Permanent Legal Adviser, Kucwaow Raphal Bwogo Amum, the court has registered 10 civil and 5 criminal cases since beginning its work on 3 July 2025. An additional 18 cases, including serious crimes such as murder and rape, are currently under police investigation and are expected to be addressed during the ongoing court session, which runs until 31 July.
Amum said the mobile court has helped restore public confidence in the justice system. “Before, the legal situation was very poor,” he said. “But the presence of the mobile court has significantly reduced cases and encouraged lawful resolution of disputes.”
The court is part of a broader effort to promote legal accountability in remote and underserved areas. Its operations are supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which provides technical and logistical support to ensure justice can reach rural communities where permanent judicial structures are not available.
Amum noted that prior to the introduction of the mobile court, many community disputes were settled through traditional methods or, at times, through violent retaliation. He said the court has provided an alternative that is helping to shift community behaviour toward peaceful and legal dispute resolution.
The mobile court’s presence also aims to speed up the legal process by bringing judicial services closer to the people. This initiative reduces the need for long and costly travel to urban centres where formal courts are based. By handling both civil and criminal cases on site, the court has increased the community’s ability to seek timely legal redress.
Observers believe the court’s work could be a model for extending justice services to other remote parts of South Sudan, particularly in areas with histories of intercommunal violence or weak legal infrastructure.
UNMISS has said it will continue to support mobile courts in coordination with the South Sudanese judiciary, noting their role in addressing impunity and strengthening the rule of law during the country’s ongoing transition.
The mobile court’s operation in Pibor is viewed as a temporary but effective solution to a longstanding challenge, and local leaders have welcomed its impact.
Summary of Case Activity in Mobile Court – Pibor (as of 17 July 2025)
| Case Type | Number of Cases | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Cases | 10 | Heard in court |
| Criminal Cases | 5 | Heard in court |
| Serious Offences* | 18 | Under police investigation |
| Total | 33 | 15 heard, 18 under investigation |
*Serious offences include murder and rape.
