South Sudan’s National Security Bill: Merits and Public Reactions

South Sudan’s National Security Bill has been under parliamentary vetting in the last few weeks, and the law-making body has just passed it on October 6, 2014. The Bill now awaits the president’s endorsement into law. Being a brand new country, this is South Sudan’s first attempt to put together a regulatory framework for its security sector. This enterprise, a venture per se, is good start for a country that has virtually lacked security laws so far. Upon presentation of this Bill to the parliament, many South Sudanese, other concerned people, and organizations from around the world were hoping for the lawmakers to reflect very seriously on the need of the country for a good law that tackles the security challenges facing all its citizens and the nation as a whole. As a country wrecked by political violence, consequently facing a rebellion in a third of its territory, creation of a national security law is unavoidable. Generally, the Bill has noble contributions toward mainstreaming South Sudan’s national security reforms. When its proceeding was adjourned1 last week owing perhaps to the ongoing disapproving discourse in the public, as well as among some members of the national parliament, towards the Bill, this move was applauded, signaling that the lawmakers were going to take time and study the merits, value, and implications of such law. Passed during its fourth reading, with some substantial yet minor amendments made to the original draft, the law continues to have seriously flawed clauses.