South Sudan anti-government protests to begin on August 30 – organizer  

JUBA – The People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) has informed South Sudan’s Minister of Interior Paul Mayom Akec that South Sudanese will take to the streets later this month to demand end to President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government, urging the minister to provide protection as required by the country’s interim constitution.

The protest organizer was formed earlier this month with the aim to remove President Salva Kiir Mayardit from power. Its founding members includes three prominent activist, former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Kuel Aguer Kuel (now under NSS detention) Rajab Muhandis, and American-educated activist Abraham Awolich.

In a letter addressed to the minister of interior, the group said they plan protests for August 30 and urged the minister to provide protection to the people of South Sudan during the protest period as provide for in the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan which was amended in 2015.

“We write with gratitude and appreciation for the hard work of the Ministry of Interior trying to keep the people of South Sudan and their properties safe. We the members of the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) write to put the Ministry of Interior on notice that the people of South Sudan plan to hold peaceful demonstrations on the 30th of August 2021 across the country,” they said in the letter.

“These non-violent demonstrations are aimed at registering people’s dissatisfaction with the performance of the government and the failure of President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to exercise leadership. Our demands are spelled out clearly in the communication related to the National Awakening Day dated the 13th of August 2021. It is readily available in the public domain, and we request that you acquaint yourself with its content,” they added.

They went on: “By this notice, we request your office and authority to ensure that the people of South Sudan and their properties are protected during these demonstrations. We also expect the police to keep law and order on the streets so that no one threatens peaceful protesters.”

“The people of South Sudan are granted the right to protest by the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 as amended. Article 2 of our Constitution vested sovereignty of South Sudan in its people. At this time of great need, we the people of South Sudan invoke our sovereign power to challenge a failing government and leadership. Article 4 Sub Article 3 of our Constitution gives us the power to resist any person or group of persons trying to undermine people’s sovereign power given by the Constitution.

“Articles 24 and 25 of the Constitution give all citizens of South Sudan the right to freedom of expression and media as well as freedom of assembly and association. We therefore invoke these rights at this hour of need.

“We write to the Ministry Interior in accordance with Article 155 Sub Article 2 (a & b) which mandates the Police Service to keep law and public order, protect the people and their properties and to enforce the constitution.”