By Charles K Mark
South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry has refuted a UN penal of expert’s allegation that the country’s territory is being used to transport fuel to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in neighboring Sudan.
In the press statement yesterday, that No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper has seen, the ministry described the report made by the UN Panel of Experts as ‘flagrant allegations.
The report claims that trucks of fuel move from the capital, Juba, to Wau on a weekly basis, where it is then transported in civilian cars such as Land Cruisers to Raja and subsequently to RSF-controlled areas in South Darfur via Kafia-Kingi.
“We firmly reject these unfounded allegations against South Sudan. It is important to note that since the eruption of conflict in the sisterly Republic of Sudan on April 15th, 2023, the government of the Republic of South Sudan has maintained a position of neutrality and has kept its borders open. Our commitment to peace and stability in the region remains unwavering,” the statement partially reads.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has always called upon the Sudanese parties to observe a ceasefire and create a conducive atmosphere for the cessation of hostilities.
The government of South Sudan has, however, cautioned against the detrimental effects of baseless allegations as such raised by the UN Panel of Experts.
“Such allegations do not contribute to problem solving but rather jeopardize the peace efforts that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan has undertaken to ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan,” the ministry noted.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized vigilance in ensuring its open-door policy is not exploited for unlawful activities.
It urged stakeholders to exercise caution and rely on verified information when assessing the situation.
“The government reaffirms its commitment to peace and stability in the region and remains committed to working collaboratively with international partners to achieve these shared objectives,” the ministry continued.
It further said that South Sudan stands ready to assist regional efforts, including mediation and providing support to alleviate the suffering of Sudanese refugees who have fled the conflict.