The Judiciary of South Sudan received 21 vehicles donated by the United Nations development program UNDP to strengthen legal systems in the country. The cars were handed over to the judiciary on Monday in Juba, which included 14 Trucks for secure transport of inmates from prison to the courts and the other seven land cruisers for states judges.
Samuel G. Doe, the UNDP resident representative for South Sudan, says the vehicles would be used to fast-track backlog cases and transfer inmates to avoid trial delays across all ten states and administrative areas.
Doe says the trucks and land cruisers will be given to high courts in the ten states and administrative areas.
“Central Equatoria will receive two trucks; the rest of the states will receive one each and the administrative areas.
He says the seven Toyota land cruisers will go to high courts in five states: Lakes, Western Equatoria, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, and Warrap State.
Mr. Doe says the donation is part of a continued partnership between the UNDP, the judiciary, and the justice ministry to ensure the government delivers fair trials for all inmates.
Chief Justice Chan Reec Madut said the support from UNDP is timely as the judiciary of South Sudan has been facing challenges of transporting inmates.
“I assured you, with these gifts, the question of transportation is solved; I am going to coordinate even with governors of ten states to make sure these vehicles are parked at the judiciary and used specifically for the purpose in which it was sent.”
Justice Reec says he would make sure the donated cars will not be personalized, except for the intended purpose of supporting state courts.
Dr. Gabriel Isaac Awow– Under Secretary in the ministry of justice and constitutional affairs, commended the UN support to South Sudan.
He says some court case delays due to lack of transport because the government lacks enough funds to purchase vehicles for all the states.
“We’re so very grateful to UNDP for the support to the rule of law in this country, and I hope this cooperation should continue to promote the rule of law,” Awow said.
Last year, UNDP donated three vehicles to the judiciary of South Sudan.