South Sudan calls Sudan ‘ungrateful’, says general’s remarks undermine stability
March 26, 2025 (JUBA) – South Sudan on Wednesday called neighbouring Sudan “ungrateful” and said recent threatening remarks by a top Sudanese general undermine regional stability.
The comments came from South Sudan’s Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Chol Thon Balok, reacting to statements made by General Yasir al-Atta, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
“Those remarks are not new. They have in the past described us as insects and called us all other names… Those remarks show how ungrateful they are,” Balok said, adding the comments showed Sudan’s “intentions to undermine regional peace and stability.”
South Sudan currently hosts numerous Sudanese refugees who have fled the conflict that erupted in April 2023, primarily from Darfur, Kordofan, White Nile, Blue Nile, the Nuba Mountains, and Gezira state.
Balok emphasized that the war in Sudan was undesired, noting peace efforts by regional and international actors including South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, the African Union (AU), Arab League, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United States, and Saudi Arabia.
His remarks on Wednesday were reportedly in response to questions from a parliamentary defence committee regarding General al-Atta’s statements.
South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously summoned the Sudanese ambassador over comments made by General al-Atta on Sunday, March 23. Al-Atta accused South Sudan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Chad of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which the SAF has been fighting since April 2023, and threatened retaliation.
“We will take retaliatory action against the UAE, the corrupt centres of influence in South Sudan, and we will take retaliatory action against Mahamat Idriss Deby, the President of Chad,” al-Atta was quoted as saying in Sudanese media reports. “And we warn him that the airports of N’Djamena and Amdjarass are legitimate targets for the Sudanese Armed Forces.”
Al-Atta’s remarks sparked anger among South Sudanese officials, citizens, and academics. Some civil society members urged protests at the Sudanese embassy in Juba, while others called for severing ties with Sudan’s military leadership.