The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has sharply criticized South Sudan’s border security forces, accusing them of widespread harassment and abuse of travelers, particularly at the Nimule border crossing.
Despite repeated calls for reform, CEPO says the misconduct has become routine, with officers allegedly intimidating, extorting, and unlawfully searching civilians.
Edmund Yakani, CEPO’s Executive Director, called on the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Defence Forces, and the Director of National Security to take immediate action, demanding the establishment of an independent monitoring mechanism to hold officers accountable and end what he described as a culture of impunity.
“This is not isolated misconduct, it’s a systemic failure,” Yakani said. “Border officers are not protecting citizens; they are violating their rights.”
Yakani cited a recent viral video showing officers harassing travelers as further proof of the problem. He also shared his personal experience of being subjected to arbitrary phone searches and intimidation at Nimule, saying such behavior must not be normalized.
He condemned the imposition of unofficial rules and the unlawful conduct of officers, warning that these actions damage South Sudan’s image and erode public trust in law enforcement.
“Border checkpoints are the first impression of our country. What message are we sending when our security forces act like predators instead of protectors?” he asked.
Yakani urged the governments of South Sudan and Uganda to instruct their immigration departments to treat travelers with dignity and fairness. He called on both presidents to intervene directly.
