Ajonye Perpetua

Last updated
Ajonye Perpetua Paya
Occupation(s)Lawyer, Politician, Women's rights activist
Known forLegal Affairs, Law Enforcement, Governance
Office
  • Justice First Class
  • Minister for Legal Affairs and Law Enforcement, Central Equatoria
  • Deputy head of Legal Drafting, Presidential Office
  • Chairperson of Central Equatoria Land Commission

Ajonye Perpetua Paya [lower-alpha 1] is a South Sudanese constitutional lawyer, judge and human rights activist. Until 2013 she was a first class justice in the South Sudan judiciary. She assisted in drafting the 2005 interim constitution of Sudan. She served in the cabinet of Central Equatoria State in 2011, then in the cabinet of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who dismissed her in May 2013. Since then she has held leadership positions in the South Sudan Law Society and has often spoken on civil rights issues including women's rights and gender-based violence. In 2023 she headed the Secretariat of the Judicial Reform Committee (JRC) of South Sudan.

Contents

Official positions

Justice Ajonye is a constitutional lawyer. [1] She was appointed a first class judge in the Sudan judiciary. [2] The Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed on 9 January 2005 at the end of the Second Sudanese Civil War. [3] Ajonye was a member of the National Constitution Review Commission in 2005 and then of the Drafting Committee that prepared the interim Constitution of Sudan. [4] This was adopted on 6 July 2005. [5]

South Sudan gained formal independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011. [6] In 2011, Ajonye was Minister of Legal Affairs and Law Enforcement of Central Equatoria State in the government of Clement Wani Konga. [7] [8] She was then appointed deputy head of the legal drafting team in the Presidential Office by a Presidential Decree dated 5 December 2011. [9] President Salva Kiir Mayardit referred to this as a cabinet position. [10]

On 7 May 2013 Ajonye and deputy Foreign Minister Elias Nyamlell Wako were dismissed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who had announced that he would no longer tolerate criticism by members of his cabinet. [10] There was speculation that the dismissal was due to disagreement over the way she was handling corruption allegations concerning some of the President's senior office administrators. She may have also fallen out with the presidential advisor for legal affairs, Telar Ring Deng. [2] [lower-alpha 2]

Republican Decree No. 34/2013 of 7 May 2013 also dismissed Ajonye Perpetua Paya as a 1st Class Judge. [12] [2] [9] The relevant legal processes for the judicial dismissal were bypassed. [13] [14] The Fondazione Oasis described the dismissal from the judiciary as a "clear breach of the separation of powers". [15]

On 26 June 2013 Clement Wani Konga, Governor of Central Equatoria State, issued a decree appointing Ajonye chairperson of the state's new Land Commission, responsible for overseeing land policies in the State. Her deputy was Patrick Ladu Sekwat. [16] Ajonye was still Chairperson of the Central Equatoria Land Commission in April 2015 when she participated in a discussion on Is Forgiveness A Possible Route Towards Reconciliation in South Sudan?. [17]

In June 2016 Ajonye was Deputy Chairperson of the Law Society of South Sudan. [18] She was described as acting head of the South Sudan Law Society in September 2018. [19] In April 2021 she was still Deputy Chairperson of the South Sudan Law Society. [20] In April 2022 Ajonye was Acting Secretary-General and Vice President of the South Sudan Law Society, and legal advisor to the South Sudan Women Peace Security Monitoring Group. [21]

In January 2023 Ajonye was Head of Secretariat of the Judicial Reform Committee of South Sudan. [22] The JRC had been launched by the Government of South Sudan on 28 July 2022 to review laws, and to advise on judicial reforms and restructuring of the judiciary. [23] It was chaired by Lord Justice James Ogoola (Uganda) with deputy chair Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch (Kenya). [24]

Civil rights activity

In June 2016 Ajonye spoke at workshop on The Role of Women in Peace-building: Lessons from South Sudan co-hosted by SALO and DIRCO in Pretoria, South Africa. [18] In June 2020, Ajonye expressed disappointment in the continued marginalization of women in regards to property inheritance in South Sudan. [1] In an interview with Eye Radio in June 2020 Ajonye spoke about the rights of the elderly duringt the COVID-19 crisis. [25]

In January 2022 Ajonye pressed the South Sudan government for action on gender-based violence. [26] She stated "We need holistic training on gender-based violence among police trainees so that when they are passed out, each police officer has an idea of what constitutes gender-based violence." [27] In March 2022 Ajonye said at least 5,500 cases of human trafficking had been reported in South Sudan in 2021, of which 824 were in Juba. Over 1,000 involved girls under 18 years old. The true number could be three times higher. She called for the government to be more active in preventing these crimes. [28]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ajonye is her surname, and Perpetua Paya her given names. Sources have erratic spelling, also giving her surname as Ajonge and her given name as Perpetuar, Parpetua, Paperture, Papetus etc.
  2. ↑ In July 2013 Kiir dismissed his entire cabinet. He nominated Telar Ring Deng for Minister of Justice in the new cabinet, but in an unusual move parliament rejected this nomination due to concerns about Deng's integrity. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakes State</span> State of South Sudan

Lakes State is a state in South Sudan. It has an area of 43,595.08 km2. Rumbek is the capital of the state. Lakes is in the Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan, in addition to Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap states. Bahr el Ghazal itself was a former province which was split from the Anglo-Egyptian mudiriyat, or province of Equatoria in 1948. The eastern border was the White Nile with Jonglei State on the opposite bank. To the northeast lied the Unity State. Other borders included Warrap State towards the northwest, Western Equatoria to the south and west, and Central Equatoria to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Equatoria</span> State of South Sudan

Central Equatoria is a state in South Sudan. With an area of 43,033 square kilometres (16,615 sq mi), it is the smallest of the original South Sudanese states. Its previous name was Bahr al-Jabal, named after a tributary of the White Nile that flows through the state. It was renamed Central Equatoria in the first Interim Legislative Assembly on 1 April 2005 under the government of Southern Sudan. Central Equatoria seceded from Sudan as part of the Republic of South Sudan on 9 July 2011. The state's capital, Juba, is also the national capital of South Sudan. On October 2, 2015, the state was split into three states: Jubek, Terekeka, and Yei River. The state of Central Equatoria was re-established by a peace agreement signed on 22 February 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salva Kiir Mayardit</span> President of South Sudan since 2011

Salva Kiir Mayardit, also known as Salva Kiir, is a South Sudanese politician who has been the President of South Sudan since its independence on 9 July 2011. Prior to independence, he was the President of the Government of Southern Sudan, as well as First Vice President of Sudan, from 2005 to 2011. He was named Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in 2005, following the death of John Garang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of South Sudan</span> Political system of South Sudan

The politics of South Sudan concern the system of government in the Republic of South Sudan, a country in East Africa, and the people, organizations, and events involved in it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior</span> South Sudanese politician

Rebecca Nyandeng of Mabior is a South Sudanese politician. She has been one of the Vice Presidents of South Sudan in the unity government since February 2020. She served as the Minister of Roads and Transport for the autonomous government of Southern Sudan, and as an advisor for the President of South Sudan on gender and human rights from 2007 to 2014. She is the widow of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the late first Vice President of Sudan and the President of the Government of South Sudan, and the mother of Akuol de Mabior. She is from the Dinka tribe of Twic East County of South Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nhial Deng Nhial</span> South Sudanese military commander and politician

Lieutenant General Nhial Deng Nhial is a South Sudanese politician and a member of the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). He was Minister of Foreign Affairs 2011 to 2013 and 2018 to 2019 after having served as the caretaker Minister of Defense since 10 July 2011. Prior to that he served as the pre-independence South Sudanese Minister of SPLA and Veteran Affairs, from 22 December 2008 until 9 July 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011)</span> Pre-independence region of ten states

Southern Sudan was an autonomous region consisting of the ten southern states of Sudan between its formation in July 2005 and independence as the Republic of South Sudan in July 2011. The autonomous government was initially established in Rumbek and later moved to Juba. It was bordered by Ethiopia to the east; Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south; and the Central African Republic to the west. To the north lies the predominantly Arab and Muslim region directly under the control of the central government. The region's autonomous status was a condition of a peace agreement between the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) and the Government of Sudan represented by the National Congress Party ending the Second Sudanese Civil War. The conflict was Africa's longest running civil war.

Louis Lobong Lojore is a South Sudanese Politician and a military governor in the rank of brigadier general in the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the current governor of Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan. He was the governor of Eastern Equatoria state from 2010 to 2015, governor of Kapoeta State from 2015 to 2020, and has been the governor of the recreated Eastern Equatoria state since 29 June 2020. Lobong is the longest serving governor in South Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Awut Deng Acuil</span> South Sudanese politician

Awut Deng Achuil is a South Sudanese politician who presently serves as the minister in the Ministry of General Education and Instruction in the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU). She is the first female Minister of Education for South Sudan and was previously Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from August 2019 until March 2020.

Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba is a South Sudanese politician. She is the current Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare of South Sudan. She founded the Sudan women Parliamentary Caucus in 2004 at the start of the comprehensive peace agreement. She was chosen by the SPLM as the speaker of the Revitalised Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA). She became the first woman to preside over the parliament of South Sudan.

Juba County is an administrative area in Central Equatoria state, South Sudan. It was the largest county in Central Equatoria and one of the largest in the entire region of Equatoria. Its county seat was Juba, the state capital of Central Equatoria and the national capital of the Republic of South Sudan.

Clement Wani Konga is a Mundari leader who fought in the Anyanya independence movement in the south of Sudan in 1969−72. He then joined the army of Sudan and rose to the rank of major general. In 2004 he made peace with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and was appointed interim governor of Central Equatoria in South Sudan. In August 2015 he was dismissed from his post by president Salva Kiir Mayardit. He continued to be active as chairperson of the Mundari Community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taban Deng Gai</span> South Sudanese politician

Taban Deng Gai is a South Sudanese politician who has been one of the Vice Presidents of South Sudan in the unity government since February 2020. He served as the First Vice President of South Sudan from 23 July 2016 to February 2020. He was mining minister before being appointed as acting first vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 South Sudanese general election</span>

General elections were scheduled to be held in South Sudan by 9 July 2015, the first since independence. However, in light of an alleged coup d'état attempt and continuing conflict in the country this has been thrown into doubt, especially since no permanent constitution has been formulated. The South Sudan parliament voted in April 2015 to amend the country's transitional 2011 constitution to extend the presidential and parliamentary term until 9 July 2018, with 264 members in favour and a handful opposing it. It was postponed again to 2021 in July 2018. Following the peace agreement that ended the civil war, a transitional period of three years was agreed on, which would be followed by elections in 2023. In 2022, the transitional government and opposition agreed to move it to late 2024.

Suzanne Jambo is a South Sudanese politician, lawyer, and human rights campaigner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beatrice Wani-Noah</span> South Sudanese politician

Beatrice Khamisa Wani-Noah is a South Sudanese politician who served as minister of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation from 2020 to 2021.

This article lists events from the year 2020 in South Sudan

Hon Elibeth Acuei is a South Sudanese politician, appointed Minister of Health by his excellency president Salva Kiir Mayardit in 2020 in when she was named into office. Olushayo Olu the world health organisation representative in south Sudan paid a courtesy call on the honourable minister on 27 April 2020

Ateny Wek Ateny is a South Sudanese journalist and lawyer who worked as Salva Kiir Mayardit's press secretary from 2013 to 2022.

The Judicial Reform Committee of South Sudan (JRC) was launched by the Government of South Sudan on 28 July 2022 to review laws, and to advise on judicial reforms and restructuring of the judiciary.

References

  1. 1 2 "Women still face legal barriers to property inheritance - Justice Ajonye". 10 June 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Kiir dismisses legal aide over speculated disagreements", Sudan Tribune, 2013-05-08, retrieved 2023-09-25
  3. ↑ "Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement". Peace Accords Matrix. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame . Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "SYMPOSIUM AT JUBA UNIVERSITY: 125TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR" (PDF), Embassy of India Newsletter South Sudan: 8, June 2016, retrieved 2023-09-26
  5. ↑ Shinn, David H. (2015). "Recent Constitutional Developments" (PDF). In Berry, LaVerle (ed.). Sudan : a country study (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 228–229. ISBN   978-0-8444-0750-0.
  6. ↑ Pflanz, Mike (8 January 2011). "Sudan referendum: what's being voted on and what will happen?". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. ↑ "Central Equatoria State". Gurtong. Archived from the original on 18 September 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "COMMUNITY SECURITY BACKS SOUTH SUDAN FREE OF ARMS", Catholic Radio Network, 3 August 2011, retrieved 2023-09-26
  9. 1 2 Leaked Memo: Backstabbings and Political Intrigues within the SPLM, PaanLuel Wël Media, 12 December 2013, retrieved 2023-09-25
  10. 1 2 South Sudan, International Crisis Group, May 2013, retrieved 2023-09-25
  11. ↑ Andrew Green (August 13, 2013), S. Sudan Parliament Rejects Kiir's Justice Nominee, Voice of America (VOA), retrieved 2023-09-26
  12. ↑ General Salva Kiir Mayardit (7 May 2013), Repiblican Decree No. 34/2013 (PDF), Republic of South Sudan, retrieved 2023-09-26
  13. ↑ Mark Atem; Wek Deng (5 July 2016), The Importance of Judicial Independence to the Administration of Justice: The Case of South Sudan, The Sudd Institute, p. 6, retrieved 2023-09-25
  14. ↑ Chan, Wol Deng Akech (June 13, 2018), Comparative Analysis of Judicial Independence in South Sudan and India, p. 16, doi:10.2139/ssrn.3195316 , retrieved 2023-09-25
  15. ↑ South Sudan Crisis: the Bloody Price of Autocracy, Fondazione Oasis, 2014-01-29, retrieved 2023-09-25
  16. ↑ MEDIA MONITORING REPORT (PDF), United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), 27 June 2013, p. 7, retrieved 2023-09-27
  17. ↑ Is Forgiveness A Possible Route Towards Reconciliation in South Sudan?, The Sudd Institute & UNDP, 16 April 2015, retrieved 2023-09-25
  18. 1 2 "Women in Peace-Building: Lessons from South Sudan" co-hosted by SALO and DIRCO- 30 June 2016, Pretoria, Southern African Liaison Office, June 30, 2016, retrieved 2023-09-25
  19. ↑ "A Discussion on Procedures of Arrest and Detention in South Sudan with Justice Ajonye and Ayak Mayol Ajol", Radio Miraya, 2018-09-24, retrieved 2023-09-26
  20. ↑ Role of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan in advancing human rights, peace, and accountability, ACHPR, 29 April 2021, retrieved 2023-09-25
  21. ↑ David Mono Danga (8 April 2022), "Women leaders welcomed the unification of the arms command deal", The Insider South Sudan, retrieved 2023-09-25
  22. ↑ Final Minutes of the 27th meeting of the RJMEC, RJMEC, 2 March 2023, p. 3, retrieved 2023-09-25
  23. ↑ Evelyn Edroma (30 August 2022), South Sudan's Judicial Reform Committee Heralds Hope for the Justice Sector, UNDP, retrieved 2023-09-25
  24. ↑ Inauguration of JRC, key milestone in the implementation of the R-ARCSS, Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), 28 July 2022, retrieved 2023-01-02
  25. ↑ Emmanuel Akile (5 June 2020), Interview with Justice Ajonye on rights of the older persons dusing Coved-19, Eye Radio, retrieved 2023-09-25
  26. ↑ "Lawyers call for inclusion of GBV module in police curriculum". Nyamile.com. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  27. ↑ "Include GBV component in police curriculum: law body". Sudan Tribune. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  28. ↑ Hellen Samuel; Elsheikh Choi (31 March 2022), S. Sudan records over 5,500 human trafficking cases in 2021 - Justice Ajonye, Eye Radio, retrieved 2023-09-25
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.