“we as the representative of the people, we don’t want the security personal to work against citizens, we want changes in article 12, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54 , 55 up to 56, that’s why we call for changes in this bill.” The Chairman of Information Committee in the National Legislative Assembly, Thomas Wani Kundu said.

Members of Parliament from Greater Equatoria in the National Legislative Assembly have presented a petition to President Salva Kiir, urging him not to sing the national security bill into law.

Kundu, says they have urged the President to return the bill to the parliament for deliberations and amendments.

He said members of the Equatoria bloc had earlier disagreed with some MPs on some provisions of the bill, because they undermine human rights.

Kundu says these provisions are not consistent with the Interim Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan. He says they did not reject the entire security bill, but they want some articles to be changed.

“we presented our memo to the president of the Republic as a bloc, calling on his Excellency to return the security bill to parliament for another deliberation with the competent committee in the presence of the representative from human rights body, international community, civil society, and all the people who are concerned about the security bill, so that it will become a proper law, so that we will understand the security’s responsibility.” He said.

However, the press secretary in the office of the president, Ateny Wek Attend, says the president may not sign the security bill into law if he finds out that some provisions might hinder people’s freedoms.

“The president may not sign the bill into law if he finds out that the bill might restrict people’s freedoms. He may return it to the parliament.” Wek said.