South Sudan Detains Opposition Leaders Amid Political Turmoil
South Sudan’s arrest of at least 22 opposition and military figures has drawn significant attention, with Human Rights Watch condemning the lack of due process and transparency. The detentions coincide with violent clashes in Upper Nile and raise concerns about potential enforced disappearances, urging for immediate reforms and international scrutiny.
In South Sudan, the government has arrested at least 22 political and military figures amidst escalating violence between government forces and armed groups in Upper Nile. Human Rights Watch has raised alarm over the government’s actions, highlighting the lack of transparency in the arrests and the potential violation of due process rights.
The detained individuals are associated with First Vice President Riek Machar, who leads the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Their detentions coincide with intensified clashes in Nasir, Upper Nile, leading to significant civilian displacement and highlighting the political instability surrounding Machar’s opposition against President Kiir.
Human Rights Watch advocates for an immediate cessation of enforced disappearances and urges the government to uphold the due process rights of all detained individuals. This includes the revelation of their whereabouts and proper judicial proceedings.
On March 4, Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, deputy chief of staff for SPLA-IO, was arrested alongside five bodyguards. Their current status remains undisclosed, which potentially qualifies as enforced disappearance under international law. On March 5, petroleum minister Puot Kang Chol was forcibly taken from his residence by National Security Service (NSS) personnel, along with several others, heightening concerns over secrecy surrounding these detentions.
The NSS conducted multiple arrests, with some detainees being released shortly after. On March 6, they apprehended police officials Thomas Jal Thomas and James Duop Gatleak, later releasing them within hours. Similarly, Stephen Par Kuol, the peacebuilding minister, and his associates were also briefly detained and released.
The political turmoil escalated further when armed individuals attacked a UN helicopter in Nasir, causing fatalities among the crew and a group of soldiers. The government has reinforced military positions, showcasing the precarious security situation.
As of March 10, 22 individuals connected to SPLA-IO remain detained, amidst allegations of further arrests based on purported links to recent conflicts. The NSS and military officials have not offered comments regarding these actions, but the Information Minister justified the arrests as legitimate.
The National Security Service operates without sufficient oversight, leading to practices regarded as enforced disappearances and torture. Human Rights Watch has called for scrutiny of the NSS’s powers, urging governmental reforms to align with international human rights standards.
Historical misuse of charges related to crimes against the state has further restricted political dissent and freedom of expression in South Sudan, indicating a pattern of human rights violations. The government has been encouraged to clarify the rationale behind the recent arrests and to allow for independent judicial reviews of the detainees’ cases. The international community is urged to intervene to ensure respect for human rights in South Sudan, pressing authorities towards accountability and a cessation of arbitrary detentions.
The ongoing political crisis in South Sudan is exacerbated by the arbitrary detention of opposition figures amid accelerating violence in Upper Nile. Human Rights Watch emphasizes the need for government accountability and adherence to human rights, urging for reforms within the National Security Service to align with international standards. International bodies are called to act to safeguard human rights and demand transparent legal processes for the detained individuals.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
