South Sudan accuses Western diplomats of meddling in domestic affairs

South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused some Western diplomatic missions in Juba of seeking to interfere in the country’s internal affairs as they expressed concerns about legislation passed by the country’s parliament that gives the National Security Service (NSS) the power to arrest and detain without a warrant.

In a joint statement on WednesdayThe embassies of Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States said the bill “would be an important step towards opening up the political and civic space, a prerequisite for truly peaceful elections.”

The diplomatic mission stressed that “enacting the bill into law would be regrettable at any time, but especially now, as it would undermine the transitional government’s claim that political and civic space exists.”

Speaking at a press conference in Juba on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wal Mayar Arik said the ministry had “noted with regret and great concern the unfriendly attitude of some missions who, without due consultation or knowledge with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan or relevant institutions of the country, have been blatantly interfering in the internal affairs of the Republic of South Sudan through known irregular diplomatic channels, through social media and mainstream media, in matters concerning the sovereign affairs of the Republic of South Sudan.”

Wall said the statement published by the media “is a serious interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of South Sudan.” He stressed that the statement “appears to be a naked move to undermine and incite public opinion against the authorities, which shows a clear intention to undermine the government.”

“It is regrettable that the said mission chose to violate the known norms of friendly diplomacy and decided to grossly interfere in the matter of national concern which is still under discussion in the National Legislative Assembly,” he said.

The spokesperson called on foreign missions in South Sudan to stop “deliberately engaging in such unfriendly remarks and unacceptable hostile stance towards the Government of South Sudan.”

However, he said the ministry’s door remained open to all forms of constructive engagement or any concerns raised by foreign embassies on issues of mutual concern.

last week, South Sudan Parliament Voting in favor of the National Security Laws 2014 (Amendment) Bill, 2024, President Salva Kiir must assent to the bill within 30 days before it becomes law.

Sections 54 and 55 of the Act empower national security officers to arrest and detain, without a warrant, any person suspected of having committed an offence against the State.

The broad and loose definitions of these offences in Section 7 of the Act have led to the arrest and detention of many people for legitimate civic and political activities. Although anyone detained must be brought before a judge within 24 hours, this rarely happens.

The country will hold its first ever election on December 22.