![Leader of the newly established Revive South Sudan Party Dr. Peter Biar Ajak. [Photo courtesy]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/REVIVE-SOUTH-SUDAN-PARTY-RSSP.png?resize=1640%2C924&ssl=1)
On Saturday, the National Security Service (NSS) stormed a gathering organized by South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) to welcome its secretary-general Lam Akol Ajawin who has been in exile for three years.
The security personnel told the organizers that the opposition consortium which is also a key signatory to the revitalized peace agreement did not obtain necessary documentations that are required for political parties to have before they organize rallies.
In a statement, Ajak condemned the actions of the National Security Service and called on all security forces to respect the implementation process of the revitalized peace agreement which provides for freedom of expression and assembly.
“Revive South Sudan Party condemns in the strongest terms the recent attack by the National Security Service (NSS) on a gathering organized by the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA). This unwarranted act of aggression against a peaceful assembly is a grave violation of the fundamental rights of South Sudanese citizens,” he said in the statement.
He said that the 2018 peace deal “upholds the principles of peaceful dispute resolution, the rights of individuals and political parties to associate freely, and the protection of civic space. These principles are enshrined in the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 (amended) and are non-negotiable.”
He said that the actions of the state security forces “undermine the very foundations of a free, fair, and credible electoral process, as outlined in the National Elections Act 2012, and the need for trust-building among South Sudanese political forces ahead of elections.”
“For elections to be credible, the political environment must be conducive for all citizens to freely exercise their rights without fear of intimidation or harassment,” he added.
Ajak also condemned the proposal in the National Elections Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill 2023 to grant the country’s future elected president powers to appoint members of the parliament, describing it as illegal and a violation of the revitalized peace agreement.
“The RSSP strongly condemns the manipulation of the legislative process, particularly by the leadership of the August House, led by the Rt. Honorable Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba,” he said.
“Allowing the insertion of a clause granting the President 5% powers to appoint members of Parliament, a move not recommended by the National Constitution Amendment Committee (NCAC) or the TNLA specialized committee, is a betrayal of the people’s trust and a gross neglect of her duties to the nation,” he added.
South Sudan’s politics can’t and will never be healthy if our misleaders don’t learn how to provide a space free of intimidation, enfringement of People’s rights, for oppositions to conduct their activities. This will continue to deprive the nation of democratic governance, and ultimately leads to civil & political unrests.
On the issue of 5% MP Appointees from the minority group & eminent personalities, I wrote about it yesterday, that this will undermine democratic administration as the President would still focus on cohorts to reppress political efforts to checks & balances. A nation ruled by decrees won’t enjoy harmony!