A civil society leader in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Bulis Nguak Deng, has urged Governor Simon Ober Mawut to formally declare civic and political space in the state, emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression as guaranteed by South Sudan’s constitution.
Speaking to Standard Zone News over the weekend, Nguak stressed that every citizen has the right to speak freely and engage in political discourse without fear of intimidation.
“We need the governor himself to declare the civic and political space in Northern Bahr el Ghazal so that people can fully exercise their constitutional rights. This is what we want from him,” Nguak stated.
He also called on the governor to pardon activist Dut Kuot Akook, who was imprisoned for defamation, arguing that broader protections for freedom of expression should be prioritized.
“Let him not only declare the forgiveness of one activist but also commit to upholding civic and political freedoms at the state level, ensuring people can express their views without fear of arrest or intimidation,” Nguak added.
The civil society leader highlighted past incidents where members of civil society were arrested for advocating the release of state critics, noting that such actions violate fundamental democratic principles.
“Yes, there is a restriction on civic and political space. When we spoke out in support of an activist’s release, we too faced arrest. That in itself is a violation of the principles of civic and political space,” he explained.
Nguak’s appeal comes after Governor Ober Mawut announced during a consultative meeting in Juba that he would pardon Dut Kuot Akook, a critic sentenced to one year in prison following allegations of defamation.
As South Sudan prepares for its 2026 elections, concerns persist over restrictions on freedom of expression and the safety of political actors and journalists. While the country’s constitution guarantees these rights, reports indicate ongoing limitations on civic and political space, raising doubts about the democratic process ahead of the polls.
Civil society actors continue to call for stronger protections to safeguard the voices of activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens, ensuring South Sudan’s transition to peace and democratic governance remains on track.
