UNDP and Judiciary Launch 30-Day Mobile Court to Fast Track GBV and Juvenile Cases in Juba

By Sasuk Taban

High Court Judges dispatched for the mobile court, Representatives; UNDP, Judiciary, Police and Prisons Juba, South Sudan

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Judiciary of South Sudan, today launched a 30-day Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Juvenile Mobile Court at Juba National Prison, marking a major step in addressing case backlogs and improving access to justice for vulnerable populations.

The Mobile Court has been established to expedite the hearing and determination of 109 pending criminal cases accumulated between 2022 and 2025, many of which involve prolonged pretrial detention and limited access to judicial services.

Through this targeted intervention, the initiative will:

• Support 45 survivors of gender-based violence by ensuring their cases are handled promptly and with dignity

• Facilitate the timely processing of 64 juvenile cases, in line with national and international standards

• Uphold the fair trial rights of 136 accused persons, including juveniles whose cases have remained pending for extended periods.

By reducing case backlogs and addressing delays in justice delivery, the Mobile Court will contribute to a more efficient, responsive, and rights-based justice system.

Andrew Shuruma, who represented the Resident Representative, UNDP South Sudan, underscored the significance of the initiative,

“Today’s event marks an important milestone in our collective efforts to ensure that justice is accessible, timely, and responsive to the needs of all people, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups who often face significant barriers in accessing justice services. The deployment of this Mobile Court demonstrates a shared commitment to addressing case backlogs, reducing prolonged pretrial detention, and ensuring that justice is not delayed for those who need it most.”

Justice William Kaya Pacifico, Representing the Judiciary of South Sudan, added,

“This is the second mobile court within a short period at the Juba Central Prison; an indication of how much the judiciary is concerned about the situation (backlog of cases) in this prison. We are currently recruiting new judges, which will eradicate the issue of delays and backlogs for good. As for my colleagues, participating in this mobile court, we expect you to do your best and to our development partners, thank you for your relentless support to the judiciary, knowing that we still count on you.”

The Mobile Court will officially commence hearings on 11 June 2026 and conclude operations on 22 July 2026, operating within Juba National Prison to ensure direct and efficient access to detainees and case proceedings.

This initiative forms part of UNDP’s broader efforts to strengthen the rule of law, enhance human rights protections, and expand access to justice in South Sudan, particularly for women, children, and marginalized communities.Funding Support.

This initiative is supported by the Funding Window as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen justice and rule of law institutions in South Sudan.