At least 22 political and military leaders in South Sudan have been arrested amidst rising political tensions and violence in Upper Nile. Human Rights Watch is calling for transparency and respect for detainees’ rights, while the National Security Service continues to operate with minimal oversight, contributing to human rights abuses. Reports of enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions underline the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms and international pressure for accountability.
In South Sudan, authorities have detained at least 22 political and military figures amid escalating violence that began in February 2025 between government forces and armed groups in Upper Nile. Human Rights Watch highlights this situation as a critical political crisis for the nation, urging the government to be transparent regarding the well-being and legal status of those detained.
The detained individuals are mostly associated with First Vice President Riek Machar and his Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO). Recent violent confrontations in Nasir, Upper Nile, particularly with the youth militia called the White Army, have led to significant civilian displacement and raised political tensions, especially among Machar’s supporters.
Human Rights Watch demands the immediate cessation of enforced disappearances and incommunicado detentions of opposition members. The organization insists on the need to respect the due process rights of those arrested, ensuring they are presented before an impartial court as required by law.
Notable arrests include Lieutenant General Gabriel Duop Lam, detained on March 4, along with five bodyguards. His current status remains unknown, and the lack of acknowledgment of such detentions constitutes enforced disappearances under international law. Following this, the National Security Service (NSS) captured several other officials, including petroleum minister Puot Kang Chol in an unlawful nighttime operation.
The situation escalated with an attack on a UN helicopter in Nasir, resulting in casualties among the crew and soldiers. In response, the South Sudanese army has deployed forces throughout major road junctions to maintain control and ensure security.
Reports indicate the detention of 22 SPLA-IO affiliates, whose conditions remain obscure. The NSS and military have not commented on multiple inquiries regarding these detentions, while there are indications of broader security operations targeting those connected to the opposition. In the backdrop, the government’s tight control over the NSS has been linked to enforced disappearances and human rights violations.
Calls are being made for the government to revise the powers of the NSS, ensuring compliance with constitutional and international human rights standards. Historical abuses under the guise of state security have led to restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and other fundamental rights.
Immediate public disclosure of the rationale behind recent arrests is also demanded. The international community is urged to pressure South Sudanese authorities to respect human rights and provide avenues for judicial review of the detentions, ensuring adherence to legal frameworks and reducing political oppression.
The ongoing detentions of political opposition members in South Sudan have resulted in calls for transparency and respect for due process. Human Rights Watch emphasizes the increasing need for legal reform concerning the National Security Service’s operations, which currently allow for extensive human rights violations. International entities must advocate for immediate action to uphold human rights standards and cease arbitrary detentions, aiming to stabilize the precarious political landscape in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
