Sudan briefs foreign diplomats on South Sudan tensions, humanitarian crisis
January 25, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan briefed foreign diplomats on Saturday about escalating tensions with South Sudan, alleged human rights abuses by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the humanitarian crisis gripping the country, the foreign ministry said.
Relations with Juba have deteriorated following the killing of South Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani in Sudan’s Al Jazirah state, reportedly by the Sudanese army and its allies. The killings triggered retaliatory attacks in South Sudan that left 16 Sudanese dead and led to the destruction of Sudanese businesses, according to Sudanese officials.
Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Hussein al-Amin al-Fadil told reporters he had briefed ambassadors and representatives from international organizations on five key issues, including the situation with South Sudan.
He said he informed them of “provocative” statements from Juba’s leadership and its foreign minister after the Al Jazirah incident, which he said was followed by retaliatory attacks against the Sudanese diplomatic mission and Sudanese citizens in South Sudan. He also said the briefing covered South Sudan’s actions in the disputed Abyei region, an area governed by a special agreement and UN Security Council resolutions.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah, last Thursday called for a UN Security Council investigation into the killing of Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani. However, the foreign ministry criticized the move, noting that the head of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, had already formed a committee to investigate the incident.
Al-Fadil added that the briefing addressed the recent U.S. sanctions imposed on Burhan, which Khartoum rejects. He said Burhan, during recent visits to Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania, discussed the ongoing conflict, alleged external interference, and the government’s perspective on finding a resolution, along with bilateral cooperation issues.
The final topic, al-Fadil said, was the humanitarian situation and alleged violations by the RSF, including attacks on power stations, water facilities, and hospitals. He also outlined the government’s plan to protect civilians.
The United Nations says around 30.4 million people in Sudan – 64% of the population – need humanitarian aid this year. The figure includes 8.9 million internally displaced people. UN agencies are seeking $4.2 billion to assist 20.9 million people, including 1.7 million at risk of famine.