Edmund Yakani Denounces Lawmakers for Passed Controversial National Security Bill
CEPO specifically criticized lawmakers for ignoring directives from the presidency and cabinet of ministers, which called for the removal of these articles.
JUBA – The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), a civil society watchdog, has expressed deep concern about the transitional parliament’s passage of the National Security Service Act 2014 (Amendment Bill 2024) without addressing human rights concerns.
The parliament, largely dominated by the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party led by President Salva Kiir President Mayardit, with 332 members, approved the bill on Wednesday by a vote of 274 in favor, 114 against, and three abstentions.
The controversial articles 54 and 55, which empower the National Security Service (NSS) to detain suspects without warrants, were retained despite calls for reform.
CEPO specifically criticized lawmakers for ignoring directives from the presidency and cabinet of ministers, which called for the removal of these articles.
“The actions of some of our parliamentarians demonstrate behaviors of our previous oppressors and actors that like absolute marginalization of South Sudanese from enjoying their democratic and good governance rights,” CEPO’s Executive Director Edmund Yakani told LSM following the vote.
Mr. Yakani said that he is not absolutely impressed by our lawmakers’ conduct in passing our National Security Services Act today without honouring the decision of the presidency dated 21st February 2023 and the National Council of Ministers decision dated 24th March 2024 on removal of article 54 and 55 of NSS Act.
He stated that the way the lawmakers conduct the passage of the NSS Act today is a potential trigger for the occurrence of electoral related violence. Secondly, the passage of the NSS act today is conflict with the Tumaini peace process consensus on professionalism of security and defense sectors.
CEPO with due respect and honour is urging His Excellency President to not sign the passed act into law. The act of the parilment today remains us of the 2015 and 2016 behaviours that return the country back to violence .Your Excellency President stands for the growth of Democratic practices under your leadership like what you did for the matters of the return of the country to 10 states and 32 states Even activists were briefly detained today in the parliament. BIG QUESTION ( Why are we embracing the bad actions of our previous oppressors today under our umbrella of secured independence after losing the million lives of our fellow citizens?)
Yakani continue to highlight the contradiction between the parliament’s actions and the ongoing peace process led by Kenya. The group noted that reforming the National Security Service Act to comply with rule of law and human rights standards was a key agreement point at the talks in Nairobi.
“Under the High-level mediation for peace in South Sudan…the national security services act is agreed upon to be reviewed and reformed,” Yakani emphasized.
The civil society leader also condemned the denial of access to the parliamentary session for civil society and media representatives. Several members from five different organizations were detained for 40 minutes while attempting to observe the proceedings.
“This is a violation of the purpose why parliament is called the house of the people,” Yakani stated. “CEPO strongly condemns the denial of access for civil society and media to the parliamentary sessions.”
