The Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN) has strongly criticized the recent closure of the INTREPID South Sudan’s office in Bor by the National Security Service (NSS), branding it as illegal and a severe hindrance to their humanitarian work.
The chairperson of JCSN and also the Executive Director of INTREPID South Sudan, Bol Deng Bol, expressed outrage over the abrupt action. In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Bol recounted how NSS personnel forcefully entered their premises last Tuesday and posted a closure notice.
“It is very illegal, and we are very concerned because NSS is acting by force,” Bol stated, noting that vital resources and documents crucial to their ongoing projects were now inaccessible.
The closure comes in the wake of the recent civil unrest in Bor, where public sector employees protested against delayed salaries and the worsening economic conditions.
The situation escalated further with the recent arrest of photojournalist Abraham Aleu Anyieth, who remains in detention without trial.
The closure of INTREPID’s office has raised concerns about the safety of its staff and the continuity of its advocacy programs, including the Public Excellence Award, supported by the Canadian Embassy.
A prominent member of the local civil society network, Peter Ajak Ayom, emphasized the broader implications of the closure, amidst South Sudan’s economic turmoil.
“We urge the authorities to reopen the office immediately to allow our vital community projects to resume,” Ayom asserted, underscoring the impact on beneficiaries of the INTREPID services.
Local human rights watchdogs, the UN agencies, and the South Sudan Civil Society Forum have all denounced the closure as a stark example of the shrinking civic and political freedoms in the country. Calls for transparency and respect for civil liberties have echoed across the international platforms, urging South Sudanese authorities to uphold the democratic principles and safeguard the rights of its citizens.
As tensions simmer and calls for justice intensify, the fate of INTREPID South Sudan and its mission to empower communities remains uncertain, awaiting action from the authorities.
On Wednesday. South Sudanese lawmakers passed the controversial National Security Act 2014 (Amendment) Bill 2024, which gives the security agency the right to arrest suspected criminals without a warrant.