Juba, July 12, 2024 (SSNA) — South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation lashes out at what it describes as “ a group of missions” that took an “unfriendly approach” to issues surrounding the newly passed National Security Act of 2024.
On July 3, the South Sudan Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly passed the amended National Security Act of 2024, sparking outrage in South Sudan and around the world. Observers and civil society organizations say the bill is a step backward, arguing that allowing the National Security Service (NSS) to detain and arrest people as it wishes is a serious violation of human rights.
On Wednesday, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, the United States, the Netherlands, and the European Union released a statement, saying the new NSS bill “constitutes a significant step away from the opening of political and civic space, which is a prerequisite for genuine and peaceful elections to take place,” warning, the ‘enactment of the bill into law would be regrettable at any time…” The statement emphasizes that such legislation undermines political and civic freedoms crucial for fair elections and democratic progress.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wol Mayar Ariec accuses some Western countries of meddling in South Sudan’s internal affairs and that their action “constitutes a serious interference in the internal affairs” of South Sudan.
The situation underscores broader concerns about governance, human rights, and international relations in South Sudan, amidst internal challenges.