By Deng Ghai Deng
In a two-day dialogue held on August 12th and 13th, the Jonglei State capital of Bor became the center of a critical discussion on the state of civic freedoms in the region. The event, organized by the INTREPID South Sudan (ISS) a civil society organization, brought together a diverse group of about 40 participants to examine the challenges facing free expression, assembly, and association.
Funded by the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), the gathering included representatives from a wide range of institutions, including civil society organizations, media houses, freelance journalists, women’s and youth associations, law enforcement, national security, workers’ trade unions, faith-based groups, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and international organizations such as UNMISS and UNDP.
According to a statement issued by ISS, the dialogue served to “establish the context, brainstorm on exercise of freedom of expression, assembly, and association, [and] shared experiences related to violations and abuse of the same.” The discussions delved into the various hindrances to civic space, with participants pointing to the role of the National Security Service (NSS), the police, and the state assembly.
The participants identified a number of significant issues that they believe are contributing to the suppression of civic space. These included the NSS’s demand for security clearance for activities, the National Security Act’s articles 54 and 54 which grant powers of arrest without warrants, and the suppression of peaceful dissent by security organs influenced by political leaders. Other major concerns raised were the fear of reprisal, media censorship, intimidation, surveillance, and persecution of activists, as well as the legacy of conflict and weak institutions, and ongoing political and economic uncertainty.
In response to these challenges, the dialogue concluded with a series of resolutions aimed at improving the situation. Participants called for a mending of the relationship between state actors and civic groups through the maintenance of dialogue and tolerance. They also urged for an amendment to the NSS Act and a renewed commitment to upholding and protecting freedom of expression, media independence, freedom of assembly, and association.
The organizers of the dialogue expressed cautious optimism, concluding that while challenges remain, there is potential for the expansion of civic space in Jonglei State. This, they asserted, is contingent on the upholding of tolerance for diverse views and a steadfast respect for human rights and the dignity of all individuals.