Morobo Activist Calls for Deployment of Resident Judge

(MOROBO COUNTY) – A civil society leader in Morobo County, Central Equatoria State, is urging authorities to deploy a resident judge to strengthen the rule of law and improve access to justice in the area.

Mawa Manase, chairperson of the Morobo County Civil Society Network, told Access Radio on Monday t that the absence of a resident judge has left many criminal and human rights cases unresolved. He said most cases are either handled by local customary courts or referred to Yei for formal legal processes.

Mawa said Morobo County has been operating without a resident judge for the past several years.

According to Manase, the lack of a functional judicial system continues to undermine access to justice and the protection of human rights in the county.

“Having a resident judge on the ground may help address legal cases here,” Manase said. “We believe that when someone is put in jail, he or she is supposed to be there for only 24 hours before appearing before a judge for trial. My appeal to county and state authorities is that we need a resident judge deployed to Morobo County. Our small prisons cannot accommodate more inmates, and this issue needs urgent attention.” he said

Residents and civil society leaders in neighboring Lainya and Kajo-Keji counties have raised similar concerns, noting that they also operate without resident judges and are calling on the government to address the gap in judicial services.