South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Thursday advanced the Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Bill, 2025, to the third reading stage.
The bill was tabled before the august house in its first reading in September 2024 by Joseph Malek Arop, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Bill 2024 aims to protect against and prevent crimes committed using computer devices, the internet, or related activities.
It seeks to establish a legal framework for prosecuting cybercrimes, safeguarding digital transactions, and regulating social media.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit assented to the Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Provisional Order on 7th May 2021.
During an extraordinary session in Juba on Thursday, Natelina Amjima Malek, acting chairperson of the Standing Specialized Committee on Information and Communication, described the bill as vital for regulating digital spaces and combatting online offences in the world’s youngest nation.
“This bill complies with the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011, as amended, and aligns with the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008,” said Amjima.
She noted that the bill also adheres to the Malabo Convention on Cybercrime and the U.N. Geneva Convention on Cybercrime and Data Protection.
Amjima stated that the committee conducted public consultations with numerous stakeholders to enhance the bill.
“The committee undertook benchmarking trips to the parliaments of Kenya and India for comparative studies and additional input into the bill.”
Bol Toby Maduot, an MP from Warrap representing the SANU Party, stated that the bill is essential for regulating the misuse of social media.
“We face significant challenges in this area; there is extensive misuse of social media both within and outside the country, and we currently lack a law to regulate it,” Toby said.
He added that the bill would also help protect businesses from online financial fraud.
“There is no legislation that adequately protects consumers and online businesses, and I believe this law will provide significant assistance in that regard,” he said.
Elizabeth James Bol, a representative from Warrap State and a member of the SPLM-IO Women’s League, emphasised the need for the bill to be gender-responsive to protect women from online harassment.
“The bill should be gender-responsive, right honourable speaker; many women in South Sudan are vulnerable to issues of cybercrime, such as harassment and bullying.”
“If the accused person prevails in a court case concerning cybercrime, there should be compensation paid to the victim.”
Gatkouth Wat, an MP representing Ayob County in Jonglei State on an SPLM-IO ticket, highlighted that the bill would protect individual databases.
“There is a provision allowing national security to access private databases without consent from the individual concerned,” said Wat.
Permina Awerial Aluong, TNLA Deputy Speaker for Administration and Finance, stated that the bill would help curb online fraud and the spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
“You have seen the importance of this bill, as new technologies are emerging in the country and many crimes are being committed by individuals unknowingly. This bill will protect people in how they present themselves during any computer use or digital activity,” Awerial said.
