EU Urges End to Executive Interference in Courts

(Juba) – The European Union has reaffirmed its support for South Sudan’s long term efforts to reform its judicial system, calling the move essential to building public trust, strengthening human rights, and enabling economic development in the country.

Speaking at the official launch of the Judiciary of South Sudan’s Strategic Plan for 2025–2029, the EU Deputy Head of Delegation to South Sudan, Lothar Jaschke, emphasized the significance of judicial independence and good governance for a stable future.

The new strategy lays out key reforms over the next five years aimed at creating a judiciary that is effective, impartial, and accessible to all citizens. It builds on the October 2024 report by the Judicial Reform Committee (JRC), which outlined 15 major recommendations. These include improvements in infrastructure, governance, training, welfare of judicial officers, and broader restructuring of the judiciary system.

Jaschke recalled the discussions held during a three day workshop last year, where legal experts, officials, and stakeholders debated the JRC findings. He said the reforms are essential to ensure justice is available to every citizen and that laws are applied fairly.

“Without the rule of law, peace cannot be sustained, human rights cannot be realized, and economic development will be stifled,” he said. “Who would invest in a country without a credible judiciary and without a guarantee that the rule of law will be upheld?”

The European Union has provided long-standing support to South Sudan’s legal and constitutional reforms. Much of this is delivered through the Max Planck Foundation’s project titled Supporting Constitution-Making, Legal Harmonisation and Judicial Reform in South Sudan, which offers technical assistance to improve the capacity and independence of courts.

According to the EU, the focus is not just on court operations or the appointment of judges but on securing public confidence and ensuring justice for all. This includes making legal services available to people who suffer rights violations and ensuring an end to impunity.

One of the critical issues highlighted in the JRC report was the interference of some executive officials in the work of the judiciary. Jaschke underlined that addressing this issue is crucial to ensuring an impartial legal system.

“An independent judiciary is key to effective governance,” he said. “The Transitional Constitution of South Sudan guarantees human rights, including due process. But these rights are undermined when people are detained without charge or denied legal representation.”

The strategic plan is also viewed as part of the implementation of South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement. According to Jaschke, building a robust legal system goes hand-in-hand with progress on national priorities such as unified security forces, inclusive elections, and drafting a permanent constitution based on federal and democratic principles.

He also welcomed the recent positions taken by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) on the importance of due process and judicial reform in South Sudan.

The EU official urged the government to increase financial support for the judiciary and commit to transparency and justice. “For a peaceful, democratic South Sudan, we need trust and cooperation among political forces—not conflict and detention,” he said.

The European Union remains one of the most active international supporters of justice reform in South Sudan since the country’s independence in 2011. The EU’s assistance includes training programs for judges, lawyers, and court staff, especially at the High Court and lower levels, and efforts to establish long-term judicial institutions.

Jaschke concluded by praising the cooperation between South Sudanese institutions and international partners such as the Max Planck Foundation, expressing hope that the judiciary’s new strategy would deliver results.

“Today’s launch presents a chance to move forward and make the justice system work for the people of South Sudan,” he said. “Let us look into justice’s beautiful face.”