South Sudan authorities have arrested at least 22 political and military figures amidst violent clashes in Upper Nile. Human Rights Watch has expressed concerns over detentions without due process. Key political figures, including those aligned with Riek Machar, are among the detained. The NSS’s operations lack judicial oversight, raising alarms about enforced disappearances. Immediate intervention from both the government and international bodies is critical to uphold human rights.
In South Sudan, authorities have detained at least 22 political and military figures following violent skirmishes that erupted in mid-February 2025 between government forces and armed groups in the Upper Nile region. Human Rights Watch has indicated that this situation is exacerbating the country’s ongoing political crisis and has raised serious concerns regarding the legality and transparency of these arrests.
Nyagoah Tut Pur, a South Sudan researcher for Human Rights Watch, has called for the immediate disclosure of the detainees’ circumstances and emphasizes the need for fair legal processes in accordance with due process rights. Many detainees are affiliated with opposition leader Riek Machar, whose supporters are concentrated in Nasir, an area currently a hotspot for clashes between the government and armed youth militias.
As part of the crackdown, Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam was arrested along with his bodyguards on March 4, with their current whereabouts remaining unknown. According to international law, such detentions without acknowledgment amount to enforced disappearances, which are absolutely prohibited.
The following day, petroleum minister Puot Kang Chol was removed from his residence by armed National Security Service (NSS) officers, alongside several others. Initially detained and then returned to his home, he was later re-arrested and moved to a detention site.
Subsequent detentions took place on March 6, involving police officials and ministers, while armed NSS officers also detained SPLA-IO member Mam Pal Dhuor at the airport. The situation in Nasir worsened with an attack on a UN helicopter, resulting in fatalities among both crew members and soldiers.
Reports indicate that 22 individuals associated with the SPLA-IO remain in custody, with many unaccounted for. In contrast, the NSS has given vague explanations regarding these detentions, framing them as connected to the unrest in various regions.
The NSS has been criticized for operating without sufficient legal oversight and responsibility and has been implicated in enforced disappearances and torture. Human Rights Watch has urged the South Sudanese government to amend laws governing the NSS, ensuring that its actions are consistent with constitutional and international standards.
Furthermore, the government must promptly disclose the legal grounds for the arrests, provide essential evidence, and allow all detainees to appear before an independent judge to ensure a fair assessment of their detention. The international community, including agencies like the United Nations and the African Union, has been called upon to advocate for the protection of human rights in South Sudan and to intervene against unlawful detentions.
The ongoing detainment of political and military figures in South Sudan underscores a severe infringement on human rights amidst a political crisis. Human Rights Watch’s report illuminates the lack of transparency in arrests, the risk of enforced disappearances, and the necessity for due process. Immediate action from both the South Sudanese government and the international community is crucial to rectify these violations and protect the rights of detainees.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
