A South Sudan civil society coalition has called on parliament to amend parts of the country’s national security law following the brief arrest of a youth leader, saying the case highlights concerns over arbitrary detention and restrictions on civic freedoms.
The National Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) issued the appeal after youth leader Willy Angok Ngor was briefly detained by security authorities in Juba following comments critical of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). The coalition said the incident underscored the need for reforms to the National Security Service Act, 2014, as amended in 2024.
NCSC Chairperson Bol Deng Bol criticized the use of Articles 54 and 55 of the law to arrest and detain suspects, arguing that the provisions grant the National Security Service powers that threaten civic and political space.
“The essence of the developing democratic exercises in the country, such as the constitutional-making process, civic and voter education, and subsequent electoral milestones, would not be adequately realized if freedom of expression is restricted to this extent,” Bol said in a statement.
The coalition said the provisions conflict with protections guaranteed under South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution and international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention without judicial oversight.
It urged members of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly to prioritize amendments to the law before the end of July, including the repeal of Articles 54 and 55.
The coalition also called for the National Security Service’s mandate to be aligned with its constitutional role of gathering and analyzing intelligence and advising relevant authorities, rather than carrying out arrests and detentions.
According to the group, the proposed reforms would strengthen the rule of law, uphold constitutional safeguards and enhance the protection of human rights.
The appeal comes as South Sudan prepares for key political processes, including constitutional reforms, civic education programmes and elections scheduled for December 2026.
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