JUBA, South Sudan, May 28, 2025 — South Sudanese President Salva Kiir dismissed the country’s long-serving chief justice and Supreme Court president in a surprise decree announced Wednesday on state broadcaster SSBC.

Chan Reec Madut, who held the post for more than 13 years, was replaced by Benjamin Bak Deng. Deputy Chief Justice John Gatwech Lul was also removed, with Laku Trankilo Nyumbi named as his successor, May 28, 2025. No official reason was provided for the removals. 

Under South Sudan’s 2011 constitution, the president may dismiss justices for gross misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, based on a recommendation from the National Judicial Service Commission. Justices are appointed with presidential approval and a two-thirds majority vote in the National Legislative Assembly. The law does not set a term limit for the chief justice.

Madut was appointed in 2011 following South Sudan’s independence. Before his judicial career, he served as deputy chair of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and led the referendum bureau in Juba.

His tenure was marked by allegations of judicial corruption, poor infrastructure, and limited training. Critics also cited political interference. In March, a group of lawyers petitioned Kiir to dismiss him.

Dr. Geri Raimondo, a legal scholar and former judge, told Radio Tamazuj that if the dismissals bypassed the Judicial Service Commission, they would violate the constitution. Raimondo urged the new judiciary leaders to pursue reforms and restore independence.

Civil society activist Ter Manyang Gatwech said the judiciary had long struggled with public trust. “People prefer customary law over formal courts,” he said. He suggested Madut’s dismissal might be linked to the upcoming trial of detained opposition leader Riek Machar.

The 2018 peace agreement called for broad judicial reforms, but activists say little progress has been made.