The swearing-in of the new lawyers was overseen by Justice James Alala Deng, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and witnessed by key dignitaries, including Vice President Taban Deng

By Chuol Chanyong  

A total of 271 new lawyers, including 50 women, were sworn in on Thursday (yesterday), in a ceremony organized by the South Sudan Bar Association. The event was attended by the Vice President for Infrastructure Cluster, Taban Deng Gai, Minister of Justice, Wek Mamer, and several other senior judges.  

The swearing-in, overseen by Justice James Alala Deng, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, saw the new lawyers take oath and swear allegiance to the ethics of the profession.   

In his speech during the ceremony, Vice President Taban Deng praised the critical role of lawyers in state-building.  

“The role of lawyers is decisive in building the nation, and building confidence that then attracts investments,” he said.  

Deng stressed on the need to make the legal profession more attractive by upholding integrity. He called for the protection of foreign investors’ rights to boost confidence in the legal system.  

Meanwhile, Arop Malueth Manon, President of the South Sudan Bar Association and Chairperson of Bar Council, reminded the new lawyers of their responsibility as guardians of justice.  

“You are no longer just graduates, you are now officers of the court,” he said.  

“The trust placed in you demands the highest standards of integrity, competence, and ethical conduct, which are essential to public confidence in the judiciary.”

Ramadan Abubakar, President of the East Africa Law Society, expressed support for South Sudan’s Bar Association, describing the event as a significant step in the country’s development.  

He noted that establishing the association and admitting the first batch of lawyers sends a strong message that South Sudan is serious about building a robust legal system. He also highlighted the importance of regional legal partnerships.  

Paul Dhel Gum, representing the new lawyers, affirmed their commitment to serving the nation through the legal profession.  

“We pledge to uphold a legal culture based on the rule of law and respect for human dignity,” he said.  

“Justice must be visible to all both in villages and in the courtrooms.”  

He promised to work with honesty and humility to achieve justice and progress.  

The event is part of a broader effort to strengthen the country’s judiciary and uphold the rule of law as a foundation for development and stability.  

South Sudan is undergoing a critical phase in its journey toward peace and prosperity, with judicial reform and legal professionalism being key pillars in post-conflict nation-building.  

The Bar Association plays a vital role in shaping the country’s legal future by training competent professionals to safeguard rights and ensure justice.