Kiir wants state of emergency declared in Western Equatoria – Ateny

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit is seeking for compromise from opposition groups which are signatories to the revitalized peace agreement to allow him to declare a state of emergency in Western Equatoria state over the ongoing violence.

Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek Ateny says the situation in Western Equatoria state is alarming and the president has been seeking compromise from opposition groups to declare state of emergency which he said they have refused.

“President Salva Kiir is serious with the situation in Western Equatoria. His seriousness is demonstrated by his desire to declare the state of emergency but the (signatory) opposition (groups) opposed the proposal,” Ateny said, according to Sudan Tribune.

“One hand cannot clap,” Ateny stressed.

Religious and traditional leadership in the area have called for intervention by the national authorities. But former opposition groups have rejected the state of emergency saying other laws can be used to maintain law and order.

They have argued that tough emergency powers can be misused to stifle critics since emergency law enables authorities to detain people without warrants, seize property, enter, and search any premises, suspend laws, and issue orders that cannot be questioned in court. Officials who issue such orders are also immune from lawsuits.

Government officials have argued the emergency is needed to be declared because other options are not working. Further, they say have no intention to use emergency measures against political leaders.

The tribal violence in the region affected the security situation along the Juba Nimule road disturbed the import of goods from Uganda.