South Sudan tightens border control with Sudan

South Sudan is to impose stricter control on the 2,000-kilometre border with Sudan, 24 hours after the United Nations announced its intention to find a new route for the transit of humanitarian aid to Sudan through South Sudan, and in reaction to the Rapid Support Forces RSF takeover of El Gezira, in central Sudan.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir issued a decree on Tuesday as the war in Sudan enters its 10th month. Kiir said in his decision that “the rampant movement in the region could pose a threat to South Sudan national security.

In a decree published via the official platform of the government of South Sudan, Kiir urged the security services “to ensure that no weapons are smuggled into the country by people fleeing the conflict in Sudan”.

He said smuggled weapons were being used by El Shabaab militants to fight and engage in ongoing inter-community conflicts in Abyei, Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal states.

“You have to work together to control your border, especially with Sudan,” Kiir said, adding: “Some people may exploit our gesture by allowing brothers and sisters from Sudan to flee the current conflict and use it as an opportunity for arms trade… This will undermine the security of our borders. Therefore, coordinate your efforts with the relevant institutions at all levels of government.”

South Kordofan

The South Sudan degree follows fierce fighting in the city of Dilling in the Debibat area in South Kordofan, which has displace thousands of civilians. Omda Bukhari El Zubair said no aid has yet been arranged for the displaced people, who are living in schools, and in the streets, and lack food and shelter. Bukhari told Radio Dabanga that the shelling continues on a daily basis in the area, however “there is no government apparatus in the Debibat area, but the RSF are present in their camps on the outskirts of the city. and no aid has been arranged for the displaced.