In South Sudan’s Greater Pibor Administrative Area, where cattle raids, sexual violence, and child abductions have long fueled intercommunal conflict, a new mobile court is delivering long-overdue justice.
Supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the South Sudan Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience Trust Fund, the court recently concluded a four-week session in Pibor.
It handled 16 complex criminal cases—convicting five offenders—and resolved 10 civil disputes, mostly over land, a common flashpoint for violence.
This is the second mobile court deployment to Pibor this year, bringing the total number of cases addressed in 2025 to 61, including 37 criminal and 24 civil matters.
By ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable, the initiative is encouraging more victims to speak out and reducing the risk of vigilante justice.
UNMISS has also constructed a new courthouse and is pushing for further investments in prisons and police stations.
The South Sudan judiciary plans to appoint a permanent judge to the region, aiming to end reliance on temporary court visits and create a stable justice system.
“Communities cannot be blamed if they have never experienced justice,” UNMISS noted, stressing that consistent legal processes are key to lasting peace.
In a region scarred by decades of conflict, the delivery of justice is seen as a critical step toward reconciliation, stability, and a future where communities can thrive without fear.
