South Sudan Human Rights Commission: CSOs Enemies Alleged

• Officials from the South Sudan Human Rights Commission accuse the government of viewing civil society organizations (CSOs) as 'enemies' and political opponents.
• Commissioner Fiddensia Charles Ladu stated that this perception limits CSOs' meaningful participation in government processes, including budget discussions.
• Deputy Chairperson Ezekia A. Gibson rated South Sudan's transparency and participation as 'weak,' and accountability as 'very weak,' linking it to corruption and economic difficulties.
• The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (HRDN) called for an enabling environment for CSOs and human rights defenders, emphasizing their vital role in promoting human rights and democracy.
• Concerns were raised about limited access to public information, with the South Sudan Revenue Authority cited for inconsistent publication of revenue data and the access to information body lacking capacity.

Adut firmly asserted that strengthening civic space is not a threat to national stability but rather an essential cornerstone for building a peaceful, accountable, inclusive, and democratic South Sudan.

Officials from the South Sudan Human Rights Commission have voiced serious concerns, alleging that the government perceives civil society organizations (CSOs) as adversaries rather than collaborative partners. This sentiment, articulated during an expert panel discussion in Juba, highlights a deeply unhealthy relationship between state authorities and the country's civic sector, contributing to a shrinking civic space.

Commissioner Fiddensia Charles Ladu specifically noted that the government often views South Sudan civil society organizations as 'opponents' or 'enemies,' a perspective that severely curtails their meaningful involvement in crucial governmental processes. She cited instances where CSOs were invited to budget discussions only after key decisions had already been finalized, effectively sidelining their input. Ladu also referenced a past community dialogue whose resolutions, to her knowledge, were neither publicly released nor implemented, further illustrating the lack of genuine engagement.

The broader context of South Sudan's shrinking civic space was further underscored by Ezekia A. Gibson, Deputy Chairperson of the South Sudan Human Rights Commission. Gibson provided a stark assessment of the nation's performance across key governance indicators, rating transparency and participation as 'weak,' and accountability as 'very weak.' He elaborated that access to public information remains severely restricted, limiting the ability of civil society to contribute effectively, even to fundamental processes like national budget preparation. Gibson also directly linked this significant accountability gap to pervasive concerns about corruption and the country's ongoing economic challenges, highlighting a critical failure in South Sudan government transparency accountability.

Participants in the discussion, organized by the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (HRDN), also highlighted specific systemic failures, pointing to government institutions that consistently fail to publish publicly available information. The South Sudan Revenue Authority, for instance, is legally mandated to disclose revenue collection data but has not done so reliably. Compounding this issue, the body tasked with ensuring access to information reportedly suffers from insufficient staffing and capacity, rendering it ineffective in enforcing relevant laws and leaving journalists and the public struggling to obtain vital data from state entities.

In response to these alarming trends, the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (HRDN) has issued a strong call for the creation of a more enabling environment for civil society organizations and human rights defenders. HRDN Chairperson Christiana Adut emphasized the indispensable role CSOs play in advancing human rights, fostering accountability, facilitating access to justice, delivering humanitarian aid, and promoting democratic participation. Adut stressed that human rights defenders should not be forced to choose between their personal safety and their commitment to upholding human rights, advocating for robust protection mechanisms and genuine involvement in decision-making processes.

The collective concerns raised during the discussion underscore a significant deficit of trust between the government and civil society, prompting urgent appeals for enhanced transparency, greater accountability, and authentic public engagement. Adut firmly asserted that strengthening civic space is not a threat to national stability but rather an essential cornerstone for building a peaceful, accountable, inclusive, and democratic South Sudan.

Lawyers advising civil society organizations, human rights defenders, or international bodies operating in South Sudan should be aware of the increasingly hostile and restrictive environment, which poses significant operational and advocacy challenges. The reported lack of government transparency and accountability also signals heightened risks for due diligence, access to public information, and potential corruption exposure for clients engaging with public institutions.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj