South Sudan Law Allows Arrests Without Warrants

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — A contentious security law in South Sudan, which permits the arrest of individuals without warrants, has officially become law despite President Salva Kiir's failure to sign it. According to parliamentary spokesperson Oliver Mori, the legislation automatically took effect after 30 days from its presentation to the president on July 12, during which Kiir neither signed nor vetoed the bill. The law has faced significant backlash from human rights advocates and several Western nations, who argue it undermines civil liberties. In July, nine Western diplomats, including representatives from the U.S. and Britain, expressed concerns that South Sudanese citizens should be able to engage in political and civic activities without the threat of arbitrary arrests. This law emerges as South Sudan prepares for its first election on December 22, following a transitional government established after a peace agreement in 2018 that ended a devastating civil war. Human rights leaders, including Yasmin Sooka of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, have condemned the law, warning it could lead to increased arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances. Sooka urged the government to reconsider the legislation to align with democratic principles and restore credibility. Local rights advocate Ter Manyang Gatwech announced plans to challenge the law in court, labeling it a direct threat to national safety. The U.S. State Department has also called for the transitional government to foster an environment conducive to free expression, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these human rights concerns.