SPLM-IO decries controversial NSS bill, urges Kiir to reject it

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), has urged President Salva Kiir to reject amendments to the National Security Service (NSS) law, arguing they grant the agency unchecked detention powers.

The transitional parliament in a vote on Wednesday last week passed the bill retaining controversial sections that raised human rights concerns. Rights groups have long criticized the broad powers granted by the 2014 law, which the amendments update, accusing the NSS of using them to stifle dissent.

Speaking during a press conference in Juba yesterday, SPLM-IO deputy chairman Oyet Nathaniel reiterated his group’s position on the bill and called on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to utilize the remaining time to return the National Security Act 2014 (Amendment) Bill 2024 to parliament for further consideration.

Oyet urged Kiir to uphold previously reached agreements between the government and opposition, resolutions from the council of ministers, and the legal advice provided by the Minister of Justice, all of which advocated for removing contentious sections 54 and 55 from the bill.

Oyet, who is also the first deputy speaker of the parliament shifted the focus to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, which mandates that parliamentary decisions on key issues be made through consensus.

“It is not a matter of parties. Not [SPLM-IO) O, not SSOA [South Sudan Opposition Alliance], not ITGoNU or whatever. It is a matter of this country. And it is the head of the government and the state who can break this impasse by not signing the Bill and returning it to the parliament so that the parliament pursues due process,” he said.

“They should not run away from secret ballots. It is mentioned in the conduct of business regulations. And the threshold also in the agreement is 367. So, votes on matters related to the agreement must meet the threshold of 367,” he added.

Oyet pointed out that the parliament’s conduct of business regulations stipulates the use of secret ballots for certain votes. He further argued that the recent vote on the bill failed to meet the threshold of 367 votes required for decisions related to the peace agreement.

“I know the President is listening. He is following what the public says in the [mainstream] media. He is also following social media. We all follow the media and the comments that are coming. There is an uproar from the public,” Oyet concluded.

After its passing by the parliament, Kiir will have 14 days to sign the bill and return it to parliament in 30 days. If the bill is not sent to parliament in 30 days, it will become a law by default. Oyet emphasized that rejecting the bill reflects the will of the South Sudanese people.

“I know the President is listening. He is following what the public says in the [mainstream] media. He is also following social media. We all follow the media and the comments that are coming. There is an uproar from the public,” Oyet concluded.