South Sudan’s judiciary is set for a major transformation as President Salva Kiir Mayardit officially swore in Dr. Benjamin Baak Deng Bol as the new Chief Justice in a ceremony at the Presidency on Monday.
Dr. Baak assumes the highest judicial office alongside his newly appointed deputy, Laku Tranquilo Nyombe. Supreme Court Justice Dr. James Alala Deng administered the oath of office.
During the ceremony, President Kiir emphasized the urgent need for judicial reforms, calling for efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the legal system, highlighting persistent challenges, including case backlogs, delayed rulings, and limited access to justice, particularly in rural areas.
Stressing the judiciary’s independence, Kiir urged the new leadership to ensure fairness and uphold the rule of law.
“We must work collectively to restore trust in our judiciary. The timely delivery of justice and strong enforcement of court rulings must be a priority,” Kiir stated, as quoted on the official Presidential Facebook page.
The President outlined key reform measures, including ethical training for judges, prompt salary payments, and strict measures to eliminate corruption within the judiciary, underscoring the importance of strengthening the legal system to support national stability and development.
Chief Justice Dr. Baak, in his acceptance speech, acknowledged the immense responsibility ahead and pledged to address the backlog of unresolved cases and appealed for enhanced government support to help implement much-needed reforms.
Legal analysts view these appointments and Kiir’s decisive stance on judicial restructuring as a pivotal step toward improving the nation’s legal framework. With Baak now at the helm, hopes are high that South Sudan’s judiciary will regain credibility and function effectively in upholding justice.
