UN asks Kiir to address concerns over proposed NSS law

JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday called on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to address concerns over the National Security Service (NSS) Bill, which has sparked widespread controversy.

The bill, passed by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on July 3, 2024, grants NSS officers the power to monitor, search, arrest and detain suspects without a warrant.

This has triggered outrage from citizens, opposition leaders, diplomatic missions, the international community, and civil society groups.

Speaking at an R-JMEC monthly meeting in Juba on Thursday, UN Deputy Special Representative and deputy head of UNMISS Guang Cong urged the president to consider these concerns.

“The recent passing of the National Security Service Bill has generated concerns about civic, political space and personal liberties. In this regard, we encourage the President to consider those concerns and provide clear directives on the way forward as soon as possible,” Cong said.

Taban Christopher, Executive Director of Vision for Generation, a civil society organization, expressed alarm over President Kiir’s silence on the bill.

“Excellency gentlemen, some of us are worried about the silence on the matter concerning articles 54 and 55 of the South Sudan National Security Service Bill. It is now 30 days plus since it was passed by the parliament. No comment has been made,” Taban said.

Taban urged the president not to sign the bill, which he described as a “scam.”

“They want to take the country for which you fought for over 21 years into the bush. It is a scam, your excellency. Please don’t sign the bill. Your excellency,” he said.

“The president of the republic of South Sudan, I would like to remind you that even if you are here or you don’t hear this, you’ll hear it through the media. They forgot that you are here to make a political statement to address the president,” Taban added.