The opposition group Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) has called on President Salva Kiir to veto amendments to the National Security Service (NSS) law.
On July 3, South Sudan’s National Legislative Assembly passed amendments to the 2014 National Security Service Act with a vote of 274-114, allowing the NSS to continue arresting and detaining individuals without a warrant. Human rights organizations have criticized the 2014 law for enabling censorship, surveillance, and other abuses of fundamental rights and freedoms.
During a press briefing on Sunday, July 7, SPLM-IO urged President Kiir to return the controversial National Security Act 2014 (Amendment) Bill 2024 to parliament for further consideration. Nathaniel Oyet Pierino, Deputy Chairperson of SPLM-IO and First Speaker of Parliament, called on President Kiir to uphold the decisions of the council of ministers and the legal advice of the minister of justice, which recommended the removal of sections 54 and 55 from the Bill.
Oyet emphasized the importance of adhering to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, which mandates parliamentary decisions to be made by consensus. He urged parliament to vote in line with the peace deal, stressing that the issue transcends party lines and concerns the nation’s well-being. “It is the head of the government and the state who can break this impasse by not signing the Bill and returning it to the parliament so that the parliament pursues due process,” Oyet stated.
He also highlighted the necessity for transparency in parliamentary voting, referencing business regulations that require a threshold of 367 votes on matters related to the agreement. Oyet asserted that rejecting the National Security Bill aligns with the demands of South Sudanese citizens and should be respected.
“I know the President is listening. He is following what the public says in the mainstream media and on social media. There is an uproar from the public,” Oyet concluded.
The National Security Bill, passed by parliament on Wednesday, now awaits President Kiir’s decision. According to the law, the President has 14 days to either assent to the Bill or refer it back to parliament for reconsideration, along with his reservations.