U.S. and allies raise concerns over South Sudan’s security bill

JUBA – The United States and its allies voiced concerns on Wednesday over the passage of a bill granting broad powers to the National Security Service (NSS), saying it undermines civic space in South Sudan.

The transitional parliament passed the National Security Service Act 2014 (Amendment Bill 2024) last week, retaining controversial sections 54 and 55, which are now consolidated into section 57.

These sections authorize the NSS to search, monitor, arrest, and detain citizens without warrants.

In a joint statement, the embassies of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States expressed their disapproval of the legislation.

“The Embassies of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States express grave concern over the Transitional National Legislative Assembly’s passage of legislation that gives the National Security Service the authority to conduct arrests and detentions without warrants,” the statement said.

“This would constitute a significant step away from the opening of political and civic space, which is a prerequisite for genuine and peaceful elections to take place,” they added.

The statement further emphasized that enacting the bill would be detrimental, particularly at a time when the transitional government is attempting to assure the existence of political and civic space.

“Enactment of the bill into law would be regrettable at any time, but particularly now when it would undermine the transitional government’s assertions that political and civic space exists,” the statement said.

“All South Sudanese should have the right to participate freely in political and civic expression without fear of arbitrary arrest or intimidation by security personnel,” it added.