U.S. warns on South Sudan security law, humanitarian crisis

UNITED NATIONS – The United States on Wednesday issued a stark warning to South Sudan over a new law that could severely curtail political freedoms and exacerbate a worsening humanitarian crisis as the country prepares for elections.

South Sudan parliament in early July passed a controversial bill that gives the country’s National Security Service (NSS), which already has a bad human rights record, the powers to monitor, search, arrest and detain without warrants.

The bill was submitted to President Salva Kiir on July 12, but the head of state did not either signed it or vetoed. According to South Sudan’s constitution, the bill automatically becomes laws after 30 days without the president returning it to parliament.

Parliamentary spokesman Oliver Mori told the Associated Press that the bill had become law “automatically” in accordance with the constitution.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the NSS law poses a grave threat to freedom of expression and could further destabilize the already fragile political landscape.

“Free and fair elections aren’t just about what happens on election day. They require open civic and political spaces, every single day – allowing all to meaningfully take part in democracy. For that reason, the United States, along with many other diplomatic missions, is deeply concerned that, if passed into law, provisions of the National Security Service Act threaten to further erode the country’s political and civic environment,” she said.

“By allowing arrest without a warrant, the NSS Act would curtail freedom of expression. And we urge the transitional government to reconsider,” she added.

Thomas-Greenfield also leveled criticism at the South Sudanese government’s economic policies, which she said have had a devastating impact on humanitarian aid operations. With over 8 million people facing acute food insecurity, she warned that the situation could deteriorate further if the government does not take immediate action.

“The transitional government has the opportunity to choose the path of peace and prosperity over fear and desperation,” she said, calling on the government to establish a clear system of tax exemptions for humanitarian organizations to ensure the unimpeded delivery of life-saving aid.

The ambassador condemned the escalating violence against civilians, highlighting a disturbing 24% increase in civilian casualties in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year. She called on the government to take decisive steps to protect its citizens.