 has called on South Sudan's lawmakers to urgently amend the National Security Service (NSS) Act, arguing that provisions granting arrest and detention powers to security operatives continue to undermine civic freedoms and human rights.){kind=link}
By Ginaba Lino
The National Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) has called on South Sudan’s lawmakers to urgently amend the National Security Service (NSS) Act, arguing that provisions granting arrest and detention powers to security operatives continue to undermine civic freedoms and human rights.
The coalition’s appeal follows the recent arrest and detention of youth leader Willy Angok Ngor, an incident it described as arbitrary and enabled by Articles 54 and 55 of the National Security Service Act, 2014, as amended in 2024.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Chairperson Bol Deng Bol said that although Angok was later released, the incident demonstrates what he described as the continued misuse of legal provisions that allow the Security Intelligence Institution to arrest and detain individuals without sufficient judicial oversight.
In a statement, the coalition warned that the enforcement of the contested provisions threatens constitutional guarantees and South Sudan’s international human rights commitments, including protections against arbitrary arrest and detention under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The coalition further argued that restrictions on freedom of expression could have serious implications for the country’s democratic transition, including the permanent constitution-making process, civic and voter education campaigns, and preparations for future elections.
“The essence of the developing democratic exercises in the country will not be adequately realized if freedom of expression is restricted to this extent,” the statement noted.
The NCSC is calling on members of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to amend the NSS Act by the end of July 2026 and remove Articles 54 and 55, which grant arrest and detention powers to the National Security Service.
According to the coalition, the proposed amendments would align the institution with its constitutional mandate of intelligence gathering, analysis, and advisory functions rather than law enforcement responsibilities.
The coalition said such reforms would strengthen constitutional supremacy, enhance accountability within the security sector, and promote the protection and respect of human rights across the country.
The call adds to growing demands from civil society organizations for legal and institutional reforms aimed at expanding civic space and safeguarding fundamental freedoms as South Sudan advances toward key political and electoral milestones.