South Sudan’s Kiir urges calm after attacks on Sudanese nationals
January 16, 2025 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir called on his citizens on Thursday to remain calm and refrain from retaliatory attacks following assaults on a Sudanese diplomat and other nationals in Juba.
The attacks were in response to the alleged killing of South Sudanese citizens by Sudanese armed forces in Sudan’s Al Jazirah state.
Sudanese diplomat Yahya Mohamed Osman was attacked by an angry citizen, sparking further assaults on Sudanese individuals and businesses.
In a statement, the Press Secretary for the President of South Sudan, Lily Martin Manyiel, urged citizens to exercise restraint.
“It is crucial that we do not allow anger to cloud our judgment or turn against Sudanese traders and refugees currently residing in our country,” she said. “These individuals are seeking safety, and it is our duty to offer protection and support to those in need.”
Manyiel said President Kiir and the South Sudanese government were taking swift action to address the situation. The Sudanese ambassador in Juba was summoned, and diplomatic consultations are underway.
“Since learning of these incidents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Sudanese Ambassador to Juba, and diplomatic consultations are ongoing to ensure those responsible for these killings are held accountable under international law,” she said.
More than 969,000 Sudanese have fled to South Sudan since the conflict erupted on April 15, 2023. Many have settled in Juba and other cities.
Manyiel stressed the importance of allowing the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to address this issue through diplomatic channels.
“Let us trust in the processes of peace and dialogue to resolve this crisis instead of resorting to violence,” she urged. “We must avoid any actions that may escalate tensions.”
Manyiel also called for the protection of South Sudanese citizens trapped in conflict zones in Sudan, reminding that “Our citizens trapped in war zones in Sudan are entitled to protection under the Geneva Convention, which the warring parties are obligated to uphold.”
Meanwhile, the Sudanese government accuses the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of recruiting mercenaries from several countries, including South Sudan, to fight against the Sudanese army.
In a statement released Thursday, the “Al Jazirah Conference” reported that an RSF force, including mercenaries from South Sudan, attacked villages in eastern Al Jazirah state, killing four civilians and injuring dozens, including women and children.