8th February 2025
Make a Donation

Yakan urges RNTLA to fast-track cyber-crime law to pin violators

Author: Michael | Published: January 24, 2025

CEPO Director Edmund Yakani | Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio.

Civil society activist has called on parliament to expedite the enactment of legislation on cyber-crime saying it is critical in addressing the increasing challenges posed by the digital space.

Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO pointed out that the absence of this legislation has left significant legal gaps, preventing the judiciary from effectively addressing cases of computer misuse and cyber-crime.

“Our parliament have delayed  the legislation on computer misuse and cyber crime which could have been the law applied by our judiciary in addressing these particular challenges that we have seen today with regard to matters of computer misuse and cyber crime”, he said.

According to him, the absence of a legal framework is a major setback in addressing the misuse of technology.”

“So, we have legal gaps in our country. Now they (cyber crime) is becoming real and this decision is unacceptable.

Yakani strongly criticized the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority’s decision to impose a 90-day ban on Facebook and TikTok, labelling it a hindrance to democracy, civic engagement, and education.

Yakani said the ban limits the democratic engagement of citizens and curtails their access to civic education

“This decision is unfortunate because it hinders the exercise of a democratic engagement among citizens and it limits civic education. We are arguing with due respect and honor, lift the ban on the use of social media platform, Facebook and TikTok.”

He urged the government to lift the ban on these platforms, adding that  there should be targeted legal measures for addressing misuse, rather than imposing a blanket bans that affect all users.

“There should be a legal way of handling the abuse by some individual whom we thumb them as criminal minded individuals”, he added.

In September 2024, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs presented the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Bill 2024 to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) after the House previously rejected the law in its provisional form.

The legislation, originally issued by President Salva Kiir as a Provisional Order in 2021, faced delays after the TNLA ruled in 2023 that its validity had expired.

Lawmakers directed Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Ruben Madol to repackage the order as a formal bill for reintroduction.

Support Eye Radio, the first independent radio broadcaster of news, information & entertainment in South Sudan.

Make a monthly or a one off contribution.