Justice Nestor Kayobera, the President of the East African Court of Justice. (Office of the President/Facebook)

The President of the East African Court of Justice has alerted the government of South Sudan to replace its judge Justice Dr Charles Nyawelo as his tenure is due to end in May 2024.

Justice Nestor Kayobera informed South Sudan in a meeting with President Salva Kiir, who is also the bloc’s chairperson, on Thursday.

Justice Nyawelo has been representing South Sudan at the regional court since 2017.

The sitting President of the East African Court of Justice, Justice Nestor Kayobera, said the tenure of Dr. Nyawelo is ending on the 20^th of May.

He warns the next Court session may cease without a judge from South Sudan.

“In the next session of the Court, the jurisdiction of the court may sit without a judge of the empowerment of South Sudan better that now South Sudan is sharing the community,” he said.

“So, we should continue updating our boss, the chair of the Summit that a judge from this is public. His term will end on 20 May this year. So, this is to me was very important.”

“And then after the president, I will get the opportunity to meet the chief justice, but also with the attorney general of South Sudan.”

At the meeting, Justice Kayobera highlighted collaborative efforts between the EAC and its member states to promote justice and legal cooperation in the region.

In January 2024 the National Minister of Information called for better working relations with the East African Court of Justice to enable member states to discharge their judicial powers effectively.

Michael Makuei Lueth said cases from South Sudan were being tried in the EAC tribunal without the knowledge of the country’s judiciary.

Makuei’s statement came after several South Sudan citizens filed court cases against the government in the regional court.

The East African Court of Appeal’s role is to handle only appeals from national courts and ensure adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the East African Community Treaty of 1999.