Southern Sudan Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitution Development (MOLACD) has a fully functional Library in Juba, with a number of legal textbooks for the benefit of law students and practitioners. The Library is supported by International Organization partners. Our reporter Ceaser Moro visited the Library and prepared this report.
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The Library was built last year and is operating within the Ministry's premises. It is a busy place but very quiet with a number of people.
The Library functions under the directorate of legal affairs ministry and is meant for the public consumption, especially the law practitioners. Dr. Aleu Garang Aleu is the director of training and research in Legal Affairs Ministry. He explains the concept of opening this Library.
Clip: Dr Aleu Garang
"one of the our major component is the library and the library focuses mainly on legal box it has been established and running for both legal practitioners and public who interesting. It's open for public are even though we have limited time for access starts and 8:00 to 4:30 are the concept of library suppose to support the activities of practice lawyers and even practice judges you can be a lawyer without reading and reading in hands sapient your skills and abilities that's why the library is open in order to support that. Is part of their own job training activities that that all practicing lawyers including those who are private advocates could or they are welcome to do."
The Library building is on two floors with different rooms and offices. As you enter the door, you will see a lady Librarian on her desk, and then there is a large room full of textbooks. These books are well arranged in the whole room.
Clip: Esther A. Juma
"I am called Esther Abdumuja Juma I been working as a librarian since 86 up to now 23 years. I came here just last year I like the of library and I have work for 4 ministries and EMREF USAID in 80s from there I went to university Juba I work there for 13 years and now I am in the ministry of Legal Affairs I like the work of Library very much."
A number of students use this library; I met Wol Luke who is a regular visitor to this library.
Clip: Wol Luke
"I came from Juba University I am a student there just to ministry of legal affairs Library I know is very nice there different book I aspect there Kenya and also UK law and Ghana law there available yes I feel very compatible that's why I use came here always. Which book are you reading now? Now this book is the political system of Anyok and of the haggle Egyptian in Sudan."
To understand the background of the law development in new Sudan, one needs to trace back to the roots and sources of origins. The laws of new Sudan provide an understanding of the aspirations of men and women of South Sudanese and the changes in society as well as changes in the law. Dr. Aleu Garang Aleu tells about these changes.
Clip: Dr. Aleu Garang
" As you know law is very wide area there lot of cross cutting issues that deal with library including met apology History we have lot books and lot reports for example we Sudan report those colonial era and we have lot books about our tribal practice we have books both language Arabic and English we books covers areas such as practice of Sudan Common law English law South Africa law Kenyan laws Ugandan laws so we have very wide area we have recodes for cases in courts we have Sudanese cases and recodes for judgment are made by Sudanese judiciary and other Country judiciary."
Southern Sudan is emerging from civil war and has a number of issues to be solved. Along with other development, the law needs to be developed and understood. The country's constitution has a number of laws, but many rules of the law have not been recognized because of the war that started back in 1955 and continued for decades.
At the time of Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim National Constitution of the Republic of Sudan, was formed and also the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan in 2005 as the supreme law of Southern Sudan. But how many really understand these laws? We hope that this library will be a source for many new legal experts who will unlock the great secrets of the laws for the common citizens.
