While admonishing that any involvement in the current Sudanese conflict could lead to a wider regional war, South Sudan refuted on Friday any backing for any group involved in the conflict.
South Sudanese citizens belonging to a certain ethnic group are used as mercenaries by the RapidSupportForces (RSF). Because of this, the Sudanese military has implied that senior South Sudanese government figures—who have commercial dealings with the RSF and ethnic ties to the mercenaries—are implicated.
Citing President Salva Kiir’s and his administration’s efforts to seek a peaceful conclusion to the conflict, South Sudanese officials have denied these accusations.
Both the Presidential Adviser on National Security Affairs and South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation described the claims as calculated attempts by radicals to sabotage peace initiatives and sow division between the two countries.
Minister Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goch stated, “This is not true, and clarifications have been made through appropriate diplomatic channels.” “The government addresses these baseless accusations through official channels rather than the media.” The minister underlined the attempts to mediate a humanitarian truce between the two SPLM-N and the Sudanese military, as well as the friendly relations and cooperation that now exist with the transitional sovereign council.
Tut Gatluak, South Sudan’s Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs, called it “unfortunate” that people believe the government is supporting one side in the Sudanese conflict since it is not in the best interests of the nation or its leaders.
Rather than leveling allegations against countries that are genuinely attempting to achieve peace and against partners in the region, Gatluak voiced faith that the leadership of Sudan has the ability to defuse the situation.
Despite gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan is still economically connected to Sudan since it exports oil through Sudan to be sold on global markets. Many South Sudanese people also stay in Sudan, and some even go back there when there is fighting in South Sudan.