Mr. Edmund Yakani,(CEPO) Receiving Death Threats over NSS Bill Comments

A civil social activist stated that he has received death threats from suspected National Security Service officers, an allegation questioned by the Public Relations Director of the Internal Bureau Agency.

Mr. Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said that five other activists and two journalists have also received similar threats of arrest and detention.

Mr. Yakani stated that the officers giving intimidating remarks did not mention their names.

He said that he received three different calls from a male and two females who claimed to be NSS officers on Thursday, warning him against speaking on the recently passed National Security Service Act 2014 Amendment Bill 2024 which maintained arrest without warrant clause.

He said, “I have received more than three death threat calls on WhatsApp by people who claim by people who claim they are members of National Security, and seven fellows are also receiving similar calls.”

Yakani stated that it’s the right of South Sudanese to debate on national matters in a peaceful matter, citing freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution.

He said, “this is unacceptable act, this is unconstitutional act. We argue among ourselves without embracing any violence, and it is a principle that informs as public governance is concerned.”

He stated that there is need for the government security agency to warn officers against taking law into their hands.

Mr. Yakani calls on the leadership of the National Security to investigate the individuals who threatened him and other individuals.

He said, “some individuals claiming to be members of the National Security Service are threatening activists and journalists are receiving the same threats.”

“I would like to appeal to the leadership of National Security, can they warn some of those individuals who tend to call people, which I assume even some of them are creating an identity that they belong to, can that be investigated.”

National Security Service unaware of the threats

In response from National Security Service, John Kumuri, the Director of Public Relations of the National Security Service, International Bureau refuted the allegation.

Mr. Kumuri said the activists should report the matter to his office and vowed to deal with any officer found to have committed such acts.

Mr. Kumuri said, “the Public Relations Department is ready to receive complains, including the Directorate of Legal Affairs, if there complain the door is open for you to come and bring, including the names of the officer that is threatening, “he said in an interview with Eye Radio.

He stated that, “I don’t think a National Security officer would do that, if they are there, then they will be dealt with, because our work here is not to threaten anybody including the civil society.”

“If there are threats, let them bring the threats, let me have a look, sometime (they) might take law into their hands, but I don’t think it’s within the policy of the National Security Service to threaten somebody.”

Mr. Kumuri said the NSS Act also stipulates that those who abuse their power, including the members of the agency, will be tried and convicted in the court of law.

“You have witnessed most of them in non-summary tribunal court. We are disciplining our officers, and if they are there, let them bring.” He further stated that, “the agency’s mandate is not to threat anybody, whether bring the civil society or the journalists.”

On July 3, 2024, The National Legislative Assembly passed the National Security Service Act 2024 Amendment Bill 2024, after a long and heated debate.