Sudan denies accusations of South Sudanese rebel support

May 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government has denied accusations by Juba that it supports South Sudan’s rebels led by the former vice-president, Riek Machar, and emphasized its continuous efforts to calm down the situation in the newborn state.

Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Ali al-Sadig, said in press statements Monday that Khartoum is committed to the good-neighbourly relations with South Sudan and doesn’t interfere in its internal affairs.

He described accusations by the spokesperson for South Sudanese army, Colonel Philip Aguer, that Sudan supports rebels in his country as “contradictory”, pointing to efforts being made by Khartoum to achieve stability in South Sudan.

Al-Sadig further said that volatile situation in South Sudan has negatively affected implementation of the cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

Mabior Garang de Mabior, rebels’ chairperson for information and public relations committee in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune dismissed claims by Juba that they receive arms support from Khartoum and described as baseless, describing those accusations as “tendentious political propaganda”.

The new accusations came after the capture of Malakal by the SPLM-in -Opposition fighters and militia group led by Johnson Olony during the weekend.

Khartoum and Juba continue to trade accusations of support to rebel groups from both sides since the independence of South Sudan in July 2011.

The Cooperation Agreement of 27 September 2012 provides to stop supporting or harbouring rebel groups, to establish a buffer zone on the border and to form a joint monitoring team to prevent rebel infiltration.

However, Juba backtracked last November from implementing the deal, under the pressure of the pastoralists Dinka Malual who fear that the inclusion of 14-Mile area in the demilitarised zone will allow Sudan to disown them the disputed area.

(ST)