JUBA – In a ceremony presided over by Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, Honourable Advocate Sarah Peter Nyot Kok officially assumed her duties as the new Counsel General for the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The appointment of Hon. Kok, a seasoned lawyer with extensive international experience, was made by His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit. The assumption-of-office ceremony was attended by senior government officials, underscoring the importance of the role.
In her inaugural address, the newly appointed Counsel General pledged to serve with unwavering diligence and integrity. She outlined a clear vision for her tenure, focusing on strengthening the rule of law, upholding the nation’s constitutional order, and, most critically, ensuring equitable access to justice for all citizens.
“Hon. Advocate Sarah Peter Nyot Kok, an accomplished lawyer with vast international experience, pledged to serve with diligence and integrity,” a statement from the ministry confirmed.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Dr. Joseph Geng Aketch, warmly welcomed the new Counsel General. He emphasized that her expertise would be instrumental in helping the ministry fulfil its vital national mandate.
“[The Minister] underscored that the Ministry will rely on her expertise to fulfil its critical mandate of promoting accountability, justice, reconciliation, and national unity,” the statement read.
Vice President Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, who chairs the government’s Economic Cluster, delivered a keynote address. He issued a direct charge to the Ministry of Justice, urging strict enforcement of the legal framework governing all government financial transactions.
His address highlighted the necessity of transparency in public expenditure, the prevention of future liabilities, and the paramount importance of protecting the nation’s economic resources through rigorous legal oversight.
The appointment is seen as a significant step towards reinforcing public confidence in the judicial system. For the people of South Sudan, the Hon. Counsel General’s appointment represents a renewed guarantee that the law will be a shield of fairness, a guide for governance, and a foundation for lasting national prosperity.
