South Sudan Urged to Cease Arbitrary Detention of Opposition Members

Human Rights Watch reported that South Sudan has unlawfully detained 22 political and military figures, primarily opposition members, calling for transparency and due process. They urged international bodies to intervene against these arbitrary detentions, emphasizing the broader implications for human rights and stability in the region.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that South Sudanese authorities arrested 22 military and political personnel in mid-February, violating human rights obligations. This group called for an end to the arbitrary detention of opposition leaders, urging authorities to disclose their locations and adhere to due process requirements.

The detainees, largely associated with opposition groups and First Vice President Riek Machar of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), include prominent figures such as Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, and Peacebuilding Minister Stephen Par Kuol.

Nyagoah Tut Pur, an HRW researcher, expressed concerns regarding the arrests, stating that “the lack of transparency and legitimate concerns about the legality of the arrests and detention of opposition leaders and others fuel instability in an already fragile security context.” She emphasized the necessity for authorities to reveal the detainees’ fate and ensure their due process rights.

The National Security Service (NSS), responsible for these detentions, has not responded to inquiries regarding the detainees’ status. HRW previously highlighted the misuse of the NSS’s extensive powers without legal or judicial checks.

Moreover, HRW urged an end to the enforced disappearances of dissenters detained since March 4, 2025, and called upon the international community—including the United Nations and the African Union—to pressure South Sudanese authorities to halt arbitrary detentions.

Article 2 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance describes enforced disappearances as detaining individuals while refusing to acknowledge their captivity or concealing their whereabouts. Although South Sudan is not a signatory to this convention, the prohibition against enforced disappearances remains a widely accepted international norm.

This surge in arrests occurred amid clashes between the government and armed groups in Upper Nile, an SPLA-IO stronghold, displacing thousands. Tensions escalated on March 7 when armed assailants targeted a UN helicopter on a rescue mission, resulting in casualties.

The increasing arbitrary detention of opposition members in South Sudan poses significant challenges to human rights and regional stability. HRW’s calls for transparency and adherence to due process highlight the urgent need for reforms in South Sudan’s security practices. The involvement of international bodies may be critical to ensure accountability and protect the rights of political detainees.

Original Source: www.jurist.org