Chan Reec Madut, the former chief justice of South Sudan. |File Photo|.
Wednesday 28 May 2025
South Sudan’s President, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, fired his longtime chief justice, Chan Reec Madut, and named Benjamin Baak Deng, the new chief justice, in a rare mini reshuffle at the Judiciary of South Sudan.
President Kiir also sacked the Deputy Chief Justice, John Gatwech Lul, and named Laku Tranquillo Nyumbe the new deputy chief justice, through a republic decree read on the state-owned television (South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation).
Justice Reec, the longest-serving chief justice, had served in this position since 2011 after the declaration of South Sudan’s independence.
In March this year, a group of lawyers threatened to petition President Kiir to fire Justice Chan Reec for allegedly failing the jsutice system in South Sudan.
Critics have been questioning the neutrality and independence of Justice Reec after photos circulated on social media showed him participating in the SPLM political rally at a time when the country is preparing for its first-ever general elections.
Justice Reec’s position has been ceremonial since his appointment in 2011.
