Justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights under the legal system of South Sudan: A preliminary assessment

This article provides an overall assessment on the justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs) within the legal system of South Sudan. It establishes that, in theory, ESCRs are justiciable under the legal system of South Sudan in a complementary and collaborative manner at two levels, namely, the national and supranational. The article argues that ESCRs may in theory be legally and judicially enforceable by virtue of the Constitution and domestic legislation. Furthermore, ESCRs are justiciable by virtue of the automatic incorporation of numerous treaties into the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, with these treaties also effecting justiciability as part of the international treaty obligations of South Sudan. It further asserts that there are two parallel layers, national and supranational, which give effect to the legal realisation of ESCRs in South Sudan. This is presented through numerous domestic constitutional and legal provisions, and also international and regional treaty obligations of South Sudan. For that purpose, the article appraises relevant provisions in the Constitution, domestic laws, and United Nations and regional treaties to which South Sudan is a state party. In addition, the article examines a number of bodies and entities that are established by these frameworks to operationalise the enforcement of ESCRs. The article concludes that this composite situation forms a basis for all the instruments and structures to supplement and complement one another in a non-hierarchical perspective. The view expressed in the article is that the current status remains theoretical and is empirically and practically challenged by the factual realities that hinder and hamper the operationalisation of justiciability in South Sudan. It recommends that a practical test is required in order for a comprehensive legal jurisprudence about the justiciability of ESCRs in and for South Sudan to materialise.