JUBA, South Sudan – The National Security Service (NSS) announced the release of 16 detainees, including nine members of organized forces and seven civilians, on November 11, 2024. The move, described by the NSS as “law-abiding,” comes amidst efforts to reform the agency’s controversial reputation under new leadership.
NSS spokesperson and director of public relations, Denis John Kumuri, said the release includes individuals accused of “crimes against the state,” with one detainee freed on humanitarian grounds. “This release serves as an accountability process and reflects our commitment to national security and adherence to the rule of law,” Kumuri said during a press briefing at the NSS headquarters in Juba.
The announcement follows the removal of Gen. Akol Koor Kuc, who led the Internal Security Bureau (ISB) since South Sudan’s independence in 2011. President Salva Kiir Mayardit replaced Gen. Akol earlier this month in what analysts view as an attempt to address longstanding allegations of human rights violations by the NSS.
Key releases and reactions
Among those released was Alex Daniel Digi, press secretary to Western Equatoria State Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba, detained over defamation allegations. Others included activist Michael Wetnhialic, detained since March, and activist Morris Mabior Awikjok Bak, freed on November 8 after nearly two years in detention.
Edmund Yakani, head of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), commended the NSS’s actions as a step toward respecting human rights. “This is remarkable and demonstrates a commitment to the rule of law and civil governance,” Yakani said, highlighting similar initiatives in Jonglei State, facilitated by UNMISS.
A new direction? the release marks the second high-profile action under the NSS’s new leadership in less than a week. Observers suggest the agency is signaling a potential shift in operations, aligning with growing calls for transparency and reform. Civil society leaders and international organizations are cautiously optimistic, viewing these developments as a positive step toward fostering democratic governance in South Sudan.
