S. Sudan ‘will not by any means’ tolerate forces working against Ethiopian interests – army chief

JUBA – South Sudan’s army chief General Santino Deng Wol has assured neighboring Ethiopia that the world’s youngest country won’t harbor or cooperate with countries or individuals that are seen as working against Ethiopia, according to a statement issued by the Ethiopian foreign ministry.

This comes following a meeting between the Ethiopian ambassador to South Sudan, Nebil Mahdi, and the Chief of Defense Forces of South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) General Santino Deng in Juba on Thursday.

According to the Ethiopian foreign ministry statement, the Ethiopian ambassador briefed the South Sudanese top army commander of current and upcoming events in the Horn of African country including the GERD talks and the upcoming elections.

“H.E. Amb. Nebil Mahdi, Ethiopia’s Ambassador in South Sudan on Thursday (May 27) met with Gen. Santino Deng Wol, Chief of the Defense Forces of the Republic of South Sudan, and conferred on issues of common interest to the two countries,” the statement seen by Sudans Post reads in part.

“The ambassador updated the CDF on the current affairs of Ethiopia which include the law enforcement operation and the subsequent humanitarian supports, and the Ethiopian government’s engagements towards regaining normalcy in the Tigray region, the GERD negotiation process, the Ethio-Sudan border dispute, and on the upcoming Elections in Ethiopia,” it added.

It further said the Ethiopian envoy “also reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment, in collaboration with IGAD, to work on ways of supporting South Sudan in the implementation of the peace agreement.”

According to the statement, the South Sudan army chief then acknowledged “the historical and excellent relations and cooperation that exist between the two countries,” and further “asserted that Ethiopia’s contributions to his country are unforgettable.”

“He also affirmed that South Sudan will not by any means harbor any elements or cooperate with forces that work against Ethiopia’s interests.

“The Chief of the Defense Forces also underscored the trust that the people of Abyei area have in the peacekeeping force under UNISFA as well as in other places in South Sudan.”