![Members of South Sudan's National Security Service in a pickup vehicle - NSS [Photo by unknown]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/yu-you-Copy.jpg?resize=1600%2C932&ssl=1)
Juma Zacharia Deng, a legislator representing Jur River County in Western Bahr El Ghazal for the SPLM-IO, claimed on Tuesday that security personnel comprising military, National Security Service, and police officers are targeting diplomats, lawmakers, and motorbike taxi drivers, particularly those returning home after 10:00PM.
“I want to inform the house that the security forces on the road are abusing the order from the Inspector General of Police,” Deng said during a parliamentary session.
“There are checkpoints at night, and we don’t understand the reason for the check. They tell you to open the light, and after they say they need something for water,” he added.
Deng alleged that security forces use firearms to intimidate civilians.
“We are here as lawmakers for implementation of the laws, there is a deteriorating security situation but police and organized forces must protect civilians in the right way, they should not use force because they have guns to intimidate the civilians, they should not work as they want, that is rejected,” he said.
He expressed concern that such behavior tarnishes the country’s image.
“They are tainting the image of the country, and there are diplomats moving at night and if they are checked in like that is not right, they have to know the number plate of cars of diplomats,” he said.
Deng called for training for security forces on proper conduct when dealing with civilians and stakeholders, including diplomats.
“The solder is on the road do not have discipline, in other countries, they respect legislators but in South Sudan when they see you on the road they harass you,” Deng said.
