‘Law-abiding’ NSS releases 16 detainees

JUBA – South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) announced the release of 16 political detainees, including individuals accused of “crimes against the state,” in a move the agency described as “law-abiding.”

The NSS has faced longstanding criticism from local and international human rights organizations over allegations of gross violations. The release follows the recent removal of Gen. Akol Koor Kuc, the former head of the Internal Security Bureau (ISB), by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Gen. Akol, who held the position since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, presided over an agency that has frequently received low ratings for human rights practices. Analysts view the release, the second instance since his removal, as part of efforts to improve the agency’s tarnished reputation.

Speaking to reporters in Juba yesterday, NSS spokesman Denis John Kumuri said 16 detainees were released on November 11. The group included nine members of organized forces and seven civilians.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as a law-abiding institution, the National Security Service, Internal Security Bureau, informs the general public that on November 11, 2024, it discharged from its detention facility 16 detainees accused of diverse charges, including crime against the state,” Kumuri said.

“The released detainees include 9 military personnel of different organized forces and 7 civilians, of which 9 of them were discharged indefinitely. 6 referred to police custody. However, ladies and gentlemen, one was released on humanitarian grounds,” he added.

Kumuri emphasized that the release “serves as an accountability process” and reiterated the agency’s commitment to safeguarding national security while adhering to the rule of law.

Among those released was Alex Daniel Digi, the press secretary to Western Equatoria State Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba, who had been detained over allegations of defamation.

This marks the second time detainees have been released by the NSS in recent days. On November 8, the agency freed prominent activist Morris Mabior Awikjok Bak, months after a Juba high court granted him bail. Bak had been detained for nearly two years following his arrest in Kenya.

The NSS also released activist Michael Wetnhialic, who had been detained since March. Wetnhialic confirmed his release, saying he was freed on November 7, one day before Bak.

Civil society leaders welcomed the development. Edmund Yakani, head of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), praised the NSS’s actions as a step toward better human rights practices.

“Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, our Civic Space Watch, strongly appreciates and congratulates the new leadership of National Security Services on the release of the 16 detainees today. This is remarkable and it demonstrates a good step towards respect of human rights and embracement of rule of law including adherence to civil rule,” Yakani said.

He highlighted similar progress at the state level, citing a recent dialogue between civil society and NSS officials in Jonglei State, facilitated by UNMISS.

“This act of Jonglei state is the actual practice that is required to be administered across the country for winning open civic and political space for nurturing democratic governance,” Yakani added.

Observers see the releases as an encouraging indication of a potential shift in NSS operations under its new leadership.