South Sudan concerned about its citizens in neighboring Sudan

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - South Sudan expressed concern Wednesday over the wellbeing of its citizens living in neighboring Sudan in the wake of a military takeover there.

“On the issue of our citizens, yes, it is a concern, and South Sudanese in Sudan in general should observe the advice from the authorities because they live under the laws of Sudan,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Dau Deng Malek told Anadolu Agency by phone.

Dau said the situation in Sudan has raised concern among the South Sudanese people, noting the people and the government of South Sudan hope for a quick return to normalcy in Sudan and particularly in Khartoum.

“We are very concerned. We ask for a return to normalcy, dialogue and calm so that South Sudan and Sudan can continue to enjoy our previous relations. We should not preempt what they will do. Let us wait and see what will come from them. They are very much aware of their responsibilities. They are very much aware of the life of the country and the territorial integrity of Sudan,” he said.

Dau added that South Sudan and Sudan had sound bilateral relations and were implementing a number of agreements, including a cooperation agreement and the Juba peace agreement, noting that what is happening in Sudan is an internal matter

“What is happening is an internal matter that South Sudan cannot jump to conclusions over and talk about. It is an internal situation, and our foreign policy does not allow us to talk about internal matters of other countries,” he said.

“We are not really worried, but we are concerned. [The oil] will continue to flow because it is shared. We all benefit. For Sudan, the oil passes through their territory. There are transitional fees. There are fees that are being paid, and I believe it improves also the economy of Sudan. We are not worried much. The situation in Sudan will return to normal,” he added.

Edmund Yakani, a civil society activist and the executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, called on President Salva Kiir to take a proactive role in mediating the standoff between the military generals and their civilian counterparts.

“My appeal is that the government of South Sudan needs to be proactive in finding an amicable solution in Sudan before Sudan descends into total chaos,” Yakani said.

“We have South Sudanese who are refugees in Sudan, and if the situation continues to worsen, it will affect the humanitarian response. Anything that happens in Sudan has a direct impact on South Sudan’s economy and its nationals’ lives, whether in Sudan or South Sudan,” he added.

Abraham Kuol Nyuon, a political analyst and lecturer at the University of Juba, said South Sudan’s government should embark on shuttle diplomacy in Khartoum to talk to military leaders and deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

“The political development in Sudan is not something that the people of South Sudan should take as normal. It is an internal matter that also affects the people of South Sudan. If the crisis continues, then South Sudanese who are in Khartoum will be affected, and secondly, the situation is likely to disrupt the oil flow to Port Sudan,” he said.

Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, dissolved Sudan’s transitional government Monday on the pretext of saving the country from descending into civil war.

Sudan’s transitional government was formed in the aftermath of the ouster of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir through street protests in April 2019.

In October 2020, President Kiir mediated peace talks between the Sudanese government and several armed groups, leading to the signing of the final peace deal in Juba.

According to the UN, there are over a million South Sudanese in Sudan, some of whom are students and refugees.