Western Envoys Condemn South Sudan’s “Repressive” Security Bill

A controversial security bill passed by the South Sudanese parliament has drawn criticism from Western governments, including the United States and Britain.

The bill, which permits warrantless detentions, has raised concerns about the erosion of political and civil space ahead of the country’s first elections since independence.

Nine Western envoys, including the US and British representatives, expressed their disapproval in a joint statement, urging President Salva Kiir to reject the bill. “The signing of this bill 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 said.

The US State Department spokesperson, Mathew Miller, reiterated the need for an environment where citizens can express their views freely without fear of arbitrary arrest or intimidation.

“Enactment of this law would further degrade political and civic space in South Sudan,” he said. “The transitional government in South Sudan must act with urgency to create an environment in which the people can express their views openly and without fear.”

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan also expressed concerns, citing systematic abuses and unlawful arrests by security agencies. “As South Sudan prepares for its first elections since independence, the citizenry must be able to exercise their civil and political rights without fear of retribution,” said commission member Barney Afako.

Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernández noted that “courts lack independence, are chronically under-resourced, and thus unable to protect citizens against arbitrary detentions.” Chairperson Yasmin Sooka urged the government to return the bill to legislators “to work on amendments that align with the government’s commitment to scrap this institution’s arrest powers, which are systematically abused and unlawful.”

The security bill has become a contentious issue in talks between the government and opposition groups, threatening the collapse of peace talks and raising fears of arbitrary arrests. The international community is calling for amendments to align the bill with the government’s commitment to protect human rights and prevent further degradation of political and civic space in South Sudan.

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