At least four opposition parties from South Sudan on Monday threatened to boycott the ongoing peace talks in Nairobi after recent decisions.
The party leaders, talking to the Sudan Post, complained about the recently passed legislation —The National Security Service Bill — which was passed last Wednesday.
According to the parties, this bill would give the National Intelligence Service agency unlimited powers to search, arrest, detain and monitor citizens without warrants.
Additionally, the parties questioned the announcement by the National Elections Commission to hold elections on December 22, this year.
"Our position is neither the extension nor the scheduling of elections is warranted at the moment especially as we are deeply engaged in peace talks in Nairobi. The Tumaini Initiative is the only mechanism which can usher in a new political dispensation and hold the first democratic elections in the country,' the group stated.
The parties include; Real-SPLM, the South Sudan United Front (SSUF), the South Sudan People’s Movement (SSPM), and the National Agenda for South Sudan Revolutionary Command Council (NAS). They are led by Pagan Amum, Paul Malong Awn, Stephen Buay Rolnyang, and General Mario Loku respectively.
On the issue of the NSS bill, the parties warned giving the agency increased powers would result in an era of dictatorship.
"The many crises facing South Sudan are deeply rooted in bad governance and human rights violations and there is no agency in South Sudan that has deviated from its constitutional mandate more than the National Security Service," the leaders told the media house.
Additionally, the group questioned why the Parliament which was established to represent the people would pass such a bill that would be detrimental to the citizens of South Sudan.
On the other hand, the group argued that the announced election dates were made in bad faith and would overshadow the current peace talks being spearheaded by President William Ruto.
They called for the inclusive National Constitutional Conference to establish a democratic permanent constitution before any legitimate elections are conducted.
These parties urged the international community to support the talks and that President Salva Kiir should stop making unilateral decisions that undermine the peace talks.
"The people of South Sudan demand to restore their right to elect their government in periodic, free, fair and peaceful elections.
