Security Sweeps Stir Parliamentary Anxiety
Early-morning door-to-door searches in Juba have drawn sharp concern from National Legislative Assembly member Nyang Johnson, who says heavily armed officers ignore protocol and startle sleeping families during raids across the capital (Eye Radio, 2024).
Johnson reports that some officers openly blame lawmakers for South Sudan’s crises, dismissing parliamentary identification and entering homes “the way they want,” a posture he labels disrespectful and alarming.
Expired IDs Create Friction At Checkpoints
Most MPs carry lapsed identification cards because replacement has stalled, complicating attempts to prove status during searches.
Under assembly rules, legislators may keep an armed guard, yet many cite financial strain that leaves households unprotected when security teams arrive unannounced.
Deputy Speaker Frames Issue as National Struggle
Deputy Speaker Parmena Awerial concedes the frustration but argues that economic hardship affects citizens and MPs alike, saying, “we don’t print money,” and urging colleagues to view harassment as a symptom of broader fiscal distress.
He confirms his own card has expired, highlighting systemic administrative delays rather than individual negligence.
Assembly Orders Security Committee Review
The speaker’s desk has forwarded Johnson’s complaint to the parliamentary Security Committee, which will request explanations from the forces involved and explore guidelines ensuring future searches respect legislative privilege.
While timelines remain unspecified, lawmakers expect written recommendations that balance public-safety imperatives with constitutional protections.
Path Forward for Civil-Military Trust
Analysts suggest clearer warrant procedures, renewed civic education for troops, and swift issuance of updated IDs could ease tensions and strengthen confidence in the ongoing security campaign across Juba.
For now, the spotlight rests on the Security Committee’s response—an outcome that may shape how ordinary residents and their elected representatives coexist with heavily armed patrols in the months ahead.