Unity State reopens Bentiu High Court after 11 years of closure, restoring access to justice, tackling case backlogs, and strengthening rule of law with UNMISS and Norway’s support.
Bentiu, Unity State - September 30, 2025
For the first time in more than a decade, residents of Unity State can access formal judicial services after the reopening of the high court in Bentiu.
The mobile court, inaugurated by Governor Riek Bim Top on Tuesday, marks a turning point for a community that has endured 11 years without direct access to justice.
The reopening is widely seen as a significant step in strengthening the rule of law, reducing the backlog of cases, and restoring public confidence in South Sudan’s fragile justice system.
A Justice System Restored After 11 Years of Silence
The Bentiu High Court has been non-functional since 2014, a period marked by conflict, displacement, and institutional collapse.
In the absence of formal judicial services, residents were forced to rely on traditional authorities and community chiefs to resolve disputes.
While traditional courts played a vital role in maintaining order, they lacked the mandate to handle complex cases such as land disputes, criminal prosecutions, and family conflicts involving inheritance or custody.
The vacuum left many citizens without meaningful recourse, fueling grievances and perpetuating cycles of violence.
Governor Riek Bim Top, while presiding over the court’s reopening, acknowledged the suffering caused by the absence of judicial services.
He pledged his administration’s commitment to ensuring that citizens in both urban and rural areas can access justice.
“Without the rule of law, there can be no peace, no stability, and no development. Today marks a turning point for the people of Unity State, especially those who have waited years for their cases to be heard,” Governor Top said.
International Support Makes the Return Possible
The return of the Bentiu court is the result of collaboration between the Unity State government, the Norwegian Embassy, and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The mobile high court will operate in Bentiu until 25 October 2025, during which it will focus on clearing case backlogs, addressing unresolved disputes, and laying the foundation for a more permanent justice system.
UNMISS representatives emphasized that strengthening judicial institutions is central to peacebuilding in South Sudan, particularly in states that have suffered from years of conflict and neglect.
The Norwegian Embassy echoed this view, highlighting its support for initiatives that protect vulnerable populations and promote stability through the rule of law.
Why the Court’s Reopening Matters
The restoration of the Bentiu High Court carries major implications for access to justice, governance, and peacebuilding in Unity State and South Sudan more broadly.
1. Addressing Case Backlogs
With 11 years of silence, the backlog of unresolved cases is immense. Many residents have been waiting years for rulings on land ownership, criminal charges, and family disputes. The mobile court offers a mechanism to finally address these grievances.
2. Restoring Trust in Institutions
South Sudanese citizens have long complained of a gap between the government and ordinary people. The absence of courts reinforced this perception of neglect.
The reopening is a chance to rebuild trust and demonstrate that state institutions can function effectively.
3. Strengthening Rule of Law
In conflict-affected states like Unity, the absence of formal courts often leads to vigilante justice or local conflicts spiraling out of control.
A functioning judiciary helps prevent abuses, offers impartial resolutions, and anchors the peace process.
4. Supporting National Stability
South Sudan is preparing for elections in December 2025, and restoring key institutions like courts is vital to maintaining stability.
Courts not only protect citizens but also provide legitimacy to the democratic process by ensuring disputes can be resolved legally rather than violently.
The Human Cost of 11 Years Without a Court
Behind the statistics and government statements lie human stories of delayed justice.
Families who lost loved ones in disputes never saw cases prosecuted. Women who faced gender-based violence were often silenced because their cases could not be formally heard.
Communities engaged in land disputes often clashed violently, leaving wounds that remain unhealed.
One Bentiu resident, speaking anonymously, told local media:
“We have waited too long. Chiefs tried their best, but they could not solve every case. Many people lost hope. With the court back, maybe justice will finally come.”
Challenges Ahead
While the reopening is a milestone, experts caution that several challenges must be addressed for the court to have lasting impact:
Sustainability: Mobile courts are temporary. Unity State will need to invest in permanent judicial infrastructure and staffing.
Security: Continued instability and intercommunal violence could undermine court operations and the safety of judges and staff.
Funding: Consistent resources are required to pay judicial personnel, maintain facilities, and expand services to rural areas.
Public Awareness: Citizens need to be educated about the return of judicial services and encouraged to bring cases forward.
If these challenges are not met, the progress symbolized by the court’s reopening may prove short-lived.
Looking Beyond Unity State
The reopening of the Bentiu High Court could serve as a model for other states in South Sudan where judicial services remain limited or absent.
If replicated, such initiatives could strengthen national stability and support the government’s efforts to deliver peace dividends to citizens.
The success of the mobile court in Bentiu will likely be closely monitored by both local communities and international partners.
Its performance in clearing backlogs, delivering fair judgments, and restoring trust could determine whether similar interventions are expanded to other conflict-affected areas.
Conclusion
After 11 years of silence, the reopening of the high court in Bentiu is more than an administrative development it is a powerful symbol of renewal for Unity State.
It restores access to justice for thousands, strengthens the rule of law, and offers hope for communities long deprived of their rights.
However, the true test will be whether this initiative leads to sustainable change. For justice to take root, Unity State will need permanent institutions, ongoing international support, and above all, a government committed to ensuring that no citizen is left behind.
As South Sudan prepares for its first elections since independence, the reopening of the Bentiu High Court sends a critical message: peace and democracy cannot survive without justice.
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