South Sudan: Security Law Threatens Peace Talks, Elections

South Sudan Peace Talks at Risk Over New Security Law Before First Election

Peace talks in South Sudan are at a key point. A new security law may stop any progress. Opposition groups disagree with the bill. It allows detention without a warrant in the final peace deal. This National Security Act is a big problem. It casts doubt on the upcoming election and the country’s stability. This disagreement shows mistrust and different ideas for South Sudan’s future. The world is watching closely. They worry this law could hurt peace and cause more trouble.

According to Africanews.com, there are worries about the new security law. It may affect political freedoms and the elections (https://www.africanews.com/2024/05/09/south-sudan-concerns-over-new-security-law-ahead-of-elections/).

Opposition to the National Security Act

The South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance says the president alone signing the National Security Act would be pointless. They think this law needs agreement from many people to be real and work well. The opposition sees the bill as a serious violation of people’s rights and freedoms. They say it would limit civil and political space. This would put peace and a true democracy at risk.

Edmund Yakani, from the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, has spoken out against the bill. He says it could hurt human rights. Human Rights Watch has also asked President Salva Kiir to reject the bill. They warn it would weaken human rights and give too much power to security groups. This could lead to abuse and a lack of punishment. The combined opposition shows how widespread the concern is.

Impact on Elections and Transition

Talks have led to a draft agreement. It suggests extending the changeover period. This means delaying the election to finish the constitution and election laws. This would address fairness. Several Western envoys have suggested delaying the election. They want to ensure a fair and open process. They say rushing into elections without fixing key issues could make the country less stable. Al Jazeera said in 2022 that South Sudan’s parties agreed to extend the changeover period by two years. This delayed elections (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/5/south-sudans-parties-agree-to-extend-transitional-period-by-two-years).

Even with these worries and ideas, President Kiir still plans to hold the election in December. He has told off the Western envoys. He shows he will continue with the election as planned. This strong position has made the tension between the government and the opposition worse. It raises questions about the government’s desire to address the worries raised by different groups.

Underlying Tensions and Concerns

The debate around the National Security Act shows the deep tension and mistrust between the government and opposition groups in South Sudan. The opposition parties think the bill would give too much power to security groups. They could then arrest people without reason and stop people from speaking out. They say this would make it almost impossible to have free and fair elections.

The government says the National Security Act is needed to keep things stable and fight insecurity. They say the law would give security groups the tools they need to handle threats and keep order. However, critics say current laws already give enough power to security groups. They add that the new bill is just a way to stop political opposition and gain more power.

The international community is worried because the security situation in South Sudan is weak. Progress in using key parts of the 2018 peace deal is slow. This agreement tried to fix the main causes of the conflict and set up a base for lasting peace. While fighting has mostly stopped, progress on important changes has been very slow. The new National Security Act makes things even harder. It raises worries about a possible return to harsh rule. It may also hurt the chances of fair elections. UNMISS has said they are concerned about rising tensions before elections (https://unmiss.unmissions.org/south-sudan-unmiss-concerned-about-rising-tensions-ahead-elections).

Conclusion

The disagreement over the National Security Act in South Sudan shows how weak the peace process is. Opposition groups and international observers fear the law will hurt human rights and democracy. The government says it is needed for stability. South Sudan’s future depends on fixing these tensions. It also depends on ensuring a fair path toward elections and lasting peace.