Kiir Adem: Sudanese army reportedly redeploying troops to Northern Bahr el Ghazal village

AWEIL – Sudanese armed forces are deploying troops to South Sudan’s Kiir Adem area, (also known as Mile 14) in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state which was designated in the past by an agreement between Sudan and South Sudan as a demilitarized buffer zone, according to residents in the area.

Kiir Adem is an area belonging to the Malual Dinka in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state. The Rizeigat – the largest cattle owning group in Sudan’s East Darfur – annually come south to graze their livestock around the River Kiir triggering clashes with the South Sudanese tribe.

On 3 September 2013, then Sudanese President Omar al Bashir and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir concluded a summit meeting in Addis Ababa by committing to demilitarize the border area between their two countries, according to the Small Arms Survey.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Saturday, some residents of Kiir Adem who said they have preferred to live Aweil said they fears insecurity because Sudanese armed forces were deploying to the area which has always been attacked by Arab nomads.

“There was an agreement to withdraw the two Forces on the border in Kiir Adem (Mile 14). But now Sudan is on redeployment and we are hearing that the SSPDF are going to be withdraw on date 20 this month,” one resident who don’t want to be named told Sudans Post.

Another resident vowed to continue the fight on the South Sudanese border village, confirming that Sudanese forces have redeployed to Kiir Adem.

“The people of Northern Bhar El Ghazal state will not back down over this issue of Mile 14. As we talk the Khartoum gov’t has deployed their Forces in the border and the deal is about to withdraw the SSPDF from the border,” the resident said adding that “Kiir Adem is redline to the People of Northern Bhar El Ghazal State.”