Dr. Geri Raimondo, an assistant professor at the University of Juba, has called on advocates to protect the South Sudan constitution from political interference and violations.
Speaking during the induction lecture for newly admitted advocates to the South Sudan Bar Association on Saturday, Dr. Geri emphasized the importance of courage in standing up for constitutional rights.
The lecture was part of the South Sudan Bar Council’s Resolution 18, passed on May 17, 2025, which approved new lawyers and mandated a one-day lecture at the University of Juba.
“If you are not courageous enough to defend the constitution and voiceless citizens from the interference of politicians and other violators, please go and sell tomatoes and korofo [green vegetables] in Konyokonyo Market,” Geri said, adding that the law needs courageous people.
His call comes at a time when the integrity of South Sudan’s legal system is under scrutiny.
For years, the justice system has faced significant challenges, with public concerns growing over the fairness and effectiveness of legal proceedings.
Many citizens criticize the system as corrupt, asserting that justice is often denied to ordinary people while the privileged receive preferential treatment.
This ongoing struggle with political interference continues to undermine the judiciary’s independence and impartiality.
In response, the new leadership of the South Sudan Bar Association (SSBA), which took office on May 30, 2024, has embarked on a mission to reform mission to restore professionalism and integrity within the legal community and ensure adherence to the rule of law.
The SSBA initiated sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing legal professional standards, updating the code of conduct for lawyers, and conducting a long-overdue cleanup of the advocates’ roll.
During the first ordinary council meeting of the SSBA, President Advocate Arop Malueth underscored the importance of these reforms, noting that 83 lawyers were deregistered in March for failing to meet professional standards, including holding degrees from unrecognised institutions.
“For those whose licenses were revoked due to fake credentials or licensing by dissolved associations, any further practice will be illegal under section 44 of the Advocates Act. We are serious about cleaning up this profession,” Malueth stated.
He further explained that some individuals held legitimate licenses, but due to administrative lapses, their files had been lost. Others possessed licenses issued by now-defunct legal bodies, which the Supreme Court had ruled unlawful.
Dr. Geri’s remarks reinforce the urgent need for advocates to be not only knowledgeable but also courageous in defending the Constitution and the rights of citizens, ensuring that justice is accessible to all.
