South Sudan to keep border with Sudan open, warns against ‘unlawful activities’

JUBA, JUNE 24, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan government has reiterated its willingness to keep its northern border with Sudan open to facilitate evacuation of foreign nationals and also create safe passage for citizens returning from Sudan but warned against its use for illegal activities.

Sudan plunged to a deadly conflict in April after the rebellious Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched attacks on government and army positions in the capital Khartoum resulting in the killing of thousands of civilians and displacement of millions.

South Sudan has since kept its door open to allow safe evacuation for foreigners fleeing Sudan and for its own nationals returning from the war-hit northern neighbor.

In a statement, the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation said that South Sudan will keep its open-door police and has no intention to close its border.

“As directed by H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic on the first day of the conflict, the borders with the Sudan have remained open to facilitate the evacuation of foreign nationals, humanitarian activities and also provide safe passage to South Sudanese returnees as well as to Sudanese citizens in a state of distress,” it said.

“That open-door policy remains in place. Any other speculations swirling around about the change of this policy are simply false and misleading,” it added.

The government further warned against the use of its open-door policy for illegal purposes.

“While humanitarian and commercial activities continue to be allowed at the long border with the Sudan, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan remains vigilant to ensure that this genuine open-door policy is not exploited for any unlawful activities,” it added.