The Troika (United States, United Kingdom, and Norway) has reiterated calls to ensure the rights of freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful protests are upheld as stipulated in the country's Transitional Constitution.
The UK Ambassador to the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva Simon Manley while addressing the interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan on Thursday said they were concerned at 'unjustified restrictions on freedoms of expression and assembly imposed by the government in response to calls for peaceful protests.'
Last month, the government threatened to 'deal with protesters' and arrested civil society actors allied to the People's Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA), which called for peaceful country-wide protests against a failed government.
Troika in a joint statement said, "Threats of violence and intimidation by the government, including threats of live ammunition against protesters, are unacceptable. Civil society actors have been arbitrarily detained and charged with capital offenses. These are not the actions of a government listening to the voices of those they serve."
"We urge the government of South Sudan to demonstrate they will listen to citizens. We urge them to promote much-needed public discussion about the country’s future, including by engaging in a credible constitution drafting process," the statement read in part. "We urge them to ensure this debate takes place without fear of violence or arbitrary detention."
Troika said it is ready to offer support if required to support the government in ensuring they uphold the protection and promotion of freedoms of expression and association.