South Sudanese regret threats by Sudan’s al-Bashir to pursue rebels
April 30, 2015 (JUBA) – Senior South Sudanese officials regretted remarks attributed to Sudanese officials, including president Omer Hassan al-Bashir, in which the latter accused the former of hosting and facilitating rebels to launch attacks on to Sudan.
South Sudanese defence minister Kuol Manyang Juuk however told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that it was “unfortunate and regrettable” that the Sudanese government had continued to abrogate all agreements on non-aggression reached by the two countries in 2012.
Minister Juuk said Juba would not respond in the manner Khartoum has been conducting itself in the recent past in spite of the existing mechanisms through which complaints could be raised and addressed.
“The SPLA forces have instructions to remain calm and restrain themselves from actions that might further escalate the tension. As the government, we do not have any hostile groups operating in this country against any one of our neighbouring countries, including Sudan,” said the South Sudanese defence minister.
“We have said this before and as our partner in the agreement, we are continuing to call on the government of Sudan to show commitment to the cooperation agreement and use the existing mechanisms as channels through which issues of concern and complaints can be raised and addressed,” he added.
The minister further denied reports that the military leadership had been directed to put troops along the border areas with Sudan to be ready for any confrontation with Khartoum.
“There are no such orders. These are just rumours being spread around without basis. We have an agreement with Sudan with mechanisms which can address complaints and other matters generating concerns to one of the parties,” he said.
But the chief of general staff of the South Sudanese army, Paul Malong Awan, warned that the army would treat any foreign attempt to enter any part of the country without prior knowledge of the leadership of the country as an unacceptable incursion.
“We know they are looking for an excuse and we need to be mindful of this. Because of this the commander in chief has directed that we should remain calm and restrain from actions that would heighten tension and escalate the situation,” Awan told a command council on Thursday.
The army chief did not, however, name those he claimed were looking for excuses, but many interpreted this in reference the fresh accusations from the Sudanese government.
(ST)