Peace Negotiations in South Sudan Could Break Down Over A New Security Law Before The Country’s First Election

The peace negotiations between South Sudan and the government encountered a roadblock when opposition parties demanded that a recently approved bill permitting the detention of individuals without an arrest warrant be struck out in order to sign a proposed deal.

Since May, Kenya has been the venue for high-level talks between rebel opposition groups and government representatives who were not involved in the 2018 agreement that put an end to a five-year civil conflict that claimed the lives of almost 400,000 people and displaced millions more. In the 9 million-person nation, violence frequently broke out in spite of the pact.

On behalf of the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance, Pagan Amum Okiech was in negotiations Tuesday night and told the Associated Press that signing an agreement would be “meaningless if the draconian National Security Act is signed into law by the president.”

The 2015 measure was approved by parliament last week, and in order for it to become law, President Salva Kiir must sign it into effect within 30 days. This is prior to the inaugural election of the nation on December 22.

“This law eliminates civic and political space and violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of South Sudanese citizens,” Amum declared. “Under such a law, there can be neither peace nor democracy.”