Chuol Jany
The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) strongly condemns the recently passed National Security Service Act of 2024.
CPA Executive Director Ter Manyang expressed deep concerned about the actions taken by South Sudanese lawmakers on Wednesday, who passed the highly controversial National Security Act 2014 (Amendment) Bill 2024. This bill grants the security agency the power to arrest suspected criminals without a warrant.
He says his organization has conducted comparative studies in the region, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
The role of the National Security Service is to gather information, analyze it, and forward it to relevant institutions or authorities. They also provide advice to the President on internal intelligence matters.
“Our National Security Service has neglected their true responsibilities. For instance, we have a presence of sex workers throughout the country. Additionally, we have foreigners who exploit the country’s resources under the guise of being part of international organizations. Even citizens are being exploited in certain hotels that are supposed to be monitored by the NSS,” Manyang said.
The civil society group urging President Salva Kiir not to sign the National Security Service Act of 2024, as it would be highly detrimental to the citizens, including the President himself as the head of state.
“When creating laws, we should avoid targeting individuals such as political leaders, human rights activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens.”
The CPA earnestly calls upon the international community, especially foreign embassies, to take action before our country experiences further destruction in the near future.