Sarah Amanhok Peter, founder and Managing Partner of Amanhok Associate and Advocacy. Left (L) with the President of the South Sudan Bar Association, Advocate Arop Malueth Manon. Right (R) during a lawyers’ forum on electoral justice on 18^th September 2026/ Photo credit: Awuou Michael.    

By Awuou Michael

Juba, South Sudan — A human rights lawyer has called for greater action to protect the rights of South Sudanese allegedly detained without charge, while the South Sudan Bar Association says it is preparing to launch a national pro bono legal service.

The appeal was made in Juba on Thursday during a lawyers’ forum on electoral justice, the rule of law and peaceful elections.

Speaking at the closing session, Founder and Managing Partner of Amanhok Associate and Advocacy, Sarah Amanhok Peter, urged lawyers, human rights defenders and civil society actors to continue advocating for people she said had been detained unlawfully.

“There are South Sudanese who cannot participate. Some South Sudanese have been silenced. There are South Sudanese who have been taken from their families, from work, and placed in detention without charges,” Amanhok said.

Amanhok appealed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit to address alleged injustices and urged South Sudanese to embrace forgiveness and peaceful coexistence.

“I am pleading to you to not forget those South Sudanese who are currently subjected to injustice. Let us forgive and live in peace with each other so that we have a united and strong country,” she said.

She further urged lawyers to remain united and committed to the Constitution, human rights and the rule of law regardless of political or tribal affiliations.

Amanok said lawyers should remain engaged throughout the electoral process rather than focusing only on Election Day.

“Credible elections are not an event. They are a process,” Amanok said.

Meanwhile, the President of the South Sudan Bar Association, Advocate Arop Malueth Manon, urged lawyers to take part in civic education and help citizens understand their rights before electoral disputes arise.

“Our role starts even before disputes arise. So we as lawyers, I say this is a call for you to be ambassadors to engage in civic education, enlighten the people on their civic rights and their electoral rights,” Arop said.

He said better public understanding of civic and electoral rights could help prevent misunderstandings and reduce potential conflicts linked to elections.

The Bar Association president also said the association was considering establishing a network of lawyers to respond to legal challenges and assist communities.

“The Bar Association will look into the possibility of creating a network to respond to the challenges that may arise and legal assistance that may be required by the communities,” He said.

Arop encouraged lawyers to conduct further research and seek additional training on electoral law to strengthen their ability to address electoral disputes.

The workshop was organized by Amanhok Associates and Advocates in collaboration with the South Sudan Bar Association to strengthen lawyers’ role in protecting electoral rights, promoting legal awareness and supporting peaceful elections.