JUBA – James Bidal, a prominent South Sudanese human rights activist, alongside local residents, has accused the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) of harassment during nighttime roadside checks in Juba, describing alleged abuses that go beyond standard security procedures. Bidal, who heads the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network, claims SSPDF soldiers are halting vehicles under the pretense of searching for illegal firearms but instead demanding unrelated documentation such as driving licenses, car logbooks, and permits for tinted windows—matters generally handled by traffic police, not the military.
Bidal recounted his own experience, stating he was targeted on Malakia Road near the UAP Equatoria Tower. “What is meant to be a security measure has increasingly turned into an infringement on citizens’ rights,” Bidal said, calling the soldiers’ actions unprofessional and abusive after they confiscated his documents without justification.
Two other motorists, speaking anonymously, reported similar incidents along the Bilpam-Customs road, describing the soldiers’ actions as intimidating and unnecessary. “They acted like traffic police, asking for documents they had no reason to check,” one driver shared, while another expressed frustration over unexplained delays despite complying with document checks.
Bidal contrasted the SSPDF’s behavior with the professionalism he observed from the South Sudanese Police Service, commending the police’s dedication to public welfare. He highlighted instances of police helping during nighttime emergencies, such as transporting pregnant women to hospitals, emphasizing the compassion shown by the police force.
Calling for immediate intervention, Bidal urged SSPDF leadership to hold soldiers accountable for actions that overstep their authority. “Any soldier found harassing civilians should face consequences, including being dismissed from service,” he said, underscoring the need to restore public trust in the SSPDF.
