Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has called for the establishment of an independent Office of the Attorney General and a Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) within South Sudan’s forthcoming permanent constitution.
Undersecretary Mary James Ajith Awuol appealed during the year’s second bar admission ceremony in Juba.
Mrs. Mary emphasized that significant reforms are required to align South Sudan’s legal system with regional standards.
She noted that the country is currently transitioning from legal frameworks inherited from Sudan toward systems practiced within the East African Community (EAC).
According to the Undersecretary, the lack of independent prosecutorial offices remains a critical gap that must be bridged during the constitutional drafting process.
“We came out from Sudan, and now we have joined the East African Community. Our legal system is transitioning, and we hope to reach that level one day,” Mrs. Mary stated. “Currently, we do not have an independent Attorney General or DPP. This is a legacy from Sudan, but even Sudan now has independent institutions.”
She expressed optimism that legal stakeholders, including the Bar Association, will advocate for these institutional changes to strengthen the rule of law.
The call for reform came as the South Sudan Bar Association officially admitted 219 new lawyers into the profession. Bar Chairperson Arop Malueth Manon reported that while 291 candidates passed the recent examinations, 219 were cleared for admission today, while 46 others were referred for further training.
The newly admitted group consists of 186 Male Advocates and 33 Female Advocates.
The cohort includes one visually impaired graduate, a significant step toward diversity within the national justice sector.
While the admission of these advocates is expected to bolster legal services across the country, officials noted a slight drop in female representation compared to previous intakes. The expansion of the legal workforce is seen as a vital component of South Sudan’s ongoing efforts to build a robust and accessible justice system.
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