Twenty Years On: Charter Under Sharp Review
During a packed lecture in Juba, Dr. Barnaba Korina labelled South Sudan’s 2005 constitution “outdated and sterile”, arguing it cannot steer a modern state. The Vision Centre for Legal Studies organised the talk to mark two decades of the transitional charter.
Delayed Gazette Releases Fuel Legal Uncertainty
The lawyer reminded listeners that no citizen can plead ignorance of laws that were never published. He said some acts remain un-gazetted for more than two years, handing defendants an easy escape and weakening confidence in the justice system.
Push for a Dedicated Constitutional Court
Citing Sudan’s historic Palace-Manshiya power standoff, Dr. Barnaba argued that vague rulings worsen political crises. He urged Juba to create a constitutional court insulated from executive or legislative pressure, ensuring clear separation of powers and timely resolution of institutional disputes.
Dual Citizenship Sparks Security Debate
The speaker warned that officials holding multiple passports during the 2013 conflict illustrated risks of divided allegiance. While acknowledging the diaspora’s economic value, he maintained that sensitive defence and foreign affairs posts should be protected from potential conflicts of loyalty.
Research Hubs Key to Judicial Trust
Dr. Barnaba closed by calling universities and training centres the “oxygen of reform”. Strong empirical studies and public legal education, he said, can empower judges, spotlight contradictory rulings and build the societal trust required to translate constitutional text into lived rights.