Sudan war could undermine regional stability, governors warn

July 4, 2023 (JUBA) – South Sudan governors have warned that the conflict in Sudan could undermine regional stability, citing its geographical significance.

Speaking in separate interviews with Sudan Tribune on Monday, the governors of Lakes, Warrap and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states urged the rival factions involved in Sudan’s raging conflict to immediately cease hostilities and embrace dialogue.

Clashes since April 15, 2023 between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have killed nearly 3,000 people. Another 2.2 million, according to the United Nations, have been forced from their homes inside the country with almost 645,000 fleeing across borders for safety.

“War in Sudan is not in the interest of anybody, not even to the leaders of Sudan themselves.  War is destructive and it affects the stability of the region. Now it has affected us here in South Sudan. Sudanese refugees have come. It seems we will have to provide a place for them, provide security and of course ensure there is something they to support themselves so that children go to schools, go to the hospital. All of these were not things that were in the plans,” Tong Akeen Ngor, the governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State told Sudan Tribune on Monday.

He said is leadership was doing everything possible to ensure “Sudanese brothers and our people returning from Sudan are given the same treatment and care”.

Ngor’s Lakes State counterpart, Riny Tueny Mabor said his administration had received returnees from Sudan and was doing his best to ensure they are reintegrated into their communities, despite unforeseen challenges likely to arise

“The situation in Sudan has affected everyone in the region. We have received some returnees in the Lakes State capital, Rumbek and will send them to their communities. It is not easy, but they will adjust. War comes with a lot of challenges because nobody advocates for it. What is happening in Sudan is bad,” he said.

Mabor said President Salva Kiir is playing a very important role to stop the current military activities in neighbouring Sudan to ensure that law and order is restored.

For his part, the governor of Warrap State, Manhiem Bol Malek said each of the countries bordering Sudan had important roles to play in the country’s stability.

“The stability of Sudan is what everyone advocates. Look at the figures of Sudanese people who have crossed to Egypt, Chad, Saudia Arabia and South Sudan. These countries in the region now face a humanitarian situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Abyei Area chief administrator, Chol Deng Alaak said the disputed oil-producing area now hosts South Sudanese returnees and people from other nationalities who were in Sudan and states affected by the conflict.

“The war in Sudan affected not only economic activities between the two countries, but also the movement of people.  Previously the movement was in two ways. People in South Sudan to Sudan for treatment and brought goods and also services but now this has stopped because of the war in Sudan,” he explained.

He said his leadership allotted land and provided security to war affected people.

“We have also spoken to humanitarian organizations and the community to share whatever they have, like food, health services, and shelter,” stressed Alaak.

Analysts, however, say Egypt sees Sudan as an ally against Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which both countries fear will affect water supply and agricultural production of the Nile and thus has close ties with the Sudanese Military with whom it has held a combined military exercise in the past.

Up to 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid and protection, the UN says.

(ST)