3206: Naath Law: Codifying Customary Law to Promote Peace and Accountability in South Sudan

This edition of Nationwide focuses on the newly adopted 2025 Naath (Nuer) Customary Law, aimed at codifying traditional justice in Greater Upper Nile. Legal experts, community representatives and UNMISS discuss how the law was developed through wide consultations across 16 counties, its alignment with national and international legal standards, and its role in reducing revenge killings, regulating dowries, protecting women’s rights and improving access to justice. The panel also addresses criticisms, implementation challenges and next steps for public awareness. Guests:  Mr. Gatkuoth Riek Lam - Team Leader - Co-Founder/Acting Executive Director, Naath Institute Daniel Both Koang, Legal Expert - Jonglei State Koang Pal Reat, Legal Expert - Upper Nile State James Gatkoi Koang, Legal Expert -  Unity State Douglass Hansen, Rule of Law Section, UNMISS