South Sudan’s peace negotiations are in jeopardy due to a newly proposed security law

South Sudan’s nearly concluded peace talks have hit a major hurdle as opposition groups demand the withdrawal of a newly passed bill that allows detention without arrest warrants before signing a proposed agreement.

Hosted by Kenya since May, these high-level meetings involve government representatives and rebel opposition groups not included in the 2018 agreement that ended a devastating five-year civil war, claiming around 400,000 lives and displacing millions. Despite the peace deal, sporadic violence has continued in the country of 9 million people.

Pagan Amum Okiech, negotiating for the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance, emphasized to the Associated Press on Tuesday that signing any agreement would be pointless if President Salva Kiir signs the draconian National Security Act into law.

Last week, parliament approved the 2015 bill, and Kiir has 30 days to endorse it for it to become law, just ahead of South Sudan’s first-ever election on December 22.

“This law violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of South Sudanese citizens, eliminating civic and political space,” Amum stated. “Under such a law, there can be no peace or democracy.”

Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, which engages university students and graduates, criticized the security bill, noting it has dampened the negotiating spirit.

Human Rights Watch has also urged Kiir to reject the contentious bill, warning it would further erode human rights and empower security agencies known for longstanding abuses.

The talks, named Tumaini, meaning “hope” in Swahili, have yielded a draft agreement proposing to extend the transitional period and postpone the upcoming election. This delay aims to finalize the country’s constitution, electoral laws, constituency boundaries, and establish a unified security force as outlined in the 2018 peace talks.

Some Western diplomats have suggested postponing the election to ensure it is conducted freely and fairly.

Despite international recommendations, Kiir remains firm on holding the election in December and has rebuked foreign envoys’ calls for delay.