South Sudan Supreme Court judge quits

By Parach Mach

JUBA, South Sudan

One of South Sudan’s most respected Supreme Court judges has resigned on Tuesday citing the lack of judicial independence and poor working conditions in Africa’s youngest nation.

Justice Kukurlopita Marino Pitia sent his resignation letter sent to President Salva Kiir, saying he was quitting as judicial executive after more than 30 years on the bench.

“The judiciary lacks institutional independence, and the independence of judges and justices in performing their judicial function is interfered with and hence the guarantee of the independence of the judiciary by the Constitution and the law is a fallacy,” Kukurlopita Marino Pitia said in his resignation letter.

He said the independence of the judiciary in South Sudan has become a mockery and pasquinade over the years. He adds. The war in South Sudan cannot be used as an excuse to interfere and silence and silence the judiciary,” Pitia said, adding that the judiciary was expected to protect many rights that are jeopardized by conflict.

South Sudan descended into chaos in 2013 after President Kiir accused dismissed deputy Riek Machar of attempting a coup, an accusation Machar denied.

In May, all of South Sudan’s judges went on a five-month strike over poor pay.