By William Madouk
South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has dismissed claims by Sudanese authorities that 65% of mercenaries fighting alongside Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are from the country.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Amb. Apuk Ayuel Mayen refuted allegations made by Gen. Yasser Al Atta, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) that South Sudanese constitute majority RSF mercenaries.
According to Amb. Mayen, while Gen. Al Atta expressed trust in President Salva Kiir, he simultaneously accused South Sudan of failing to prevent its citizens from joining paramilitary forces.
“Interestingly, General Al-Atta acknowledged that many who might have joined the RSF are opposition elements, explicitly naming the group led by Gen. Stephen Buay, which the Government of South Sudan does not control,” Ambassador Apuk stated.
While lauding Gen Al-Atta’s confidence in the leadership of South Sudan and his apology for the “violations perpetrated by individuals, Amb Apuk condemned exaggerating the figure.
“We strongly condemn his assertion that South Sudanese citizens make up 65% of the RSF, as it is both false and dangerous,” she said.
She explained that Gen Al Atta is much aware throughout long war history that Sudan Armed Force had a long-standing tradition of arming South Sudanese militias.
Apuk noted that they are aware of the SAF special Department called the Department of Popular and National Forces that is tasked with recruitment of South Sudanese nationals.
“According to our authentic records, two groups of South Sudanese nationals were sent to Yemen under arrangements made by the Sudanese government: the group led by the late Gen. Peter Gatdet Yak and Gen. Thomas Theil Awak,” she said.
Foreign Affairs noted that it is under such conditions that those Khartoum-backed militia elements found themselves entangled in the Sudanese war.
“Notwithstanding this background, describing South Sudanese as forming 65 % of the fighting force within RSF is an absolute exaggeration,” Amb. Apuk lamented.
The Foreign Affairs also questioned why Gen. Al Atta failed to bring up the South Sudanese generals who are alongside the army.
For example, the Sudanese Military Intelligence Unit includes Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Al Mazz Deng, Gen. Jafour Dou Elbaid from the Abyei region, and Maj. Gen. Thomas Thiel Awak (also called Altom Ali Zain) from Twic County in Warrap State.
“We are now surprised that General Atta is pedalling such falsehood, which may have motivated some members of (SAF) to commit horrific against South Sudanese in Wad Madani and its surroundings,”
Foreign affairs condemned any’ threatening’ and ‘disrespectful’ approach in addressing concerns.
‘We urge the Government of the Republic of Sudan: refrain from issuing unfounded allegations that could jeopardize our bilateral relations and regional stability,” she said.
Similarly, the Foreign affairs further cited its commitment to adhering to amicable dialogue and constructive political and diplomatic exchanges.
The spokesperson called on the Government of Sudan to ensure the safety and well-being of South Sudanese citizens living in Sudan.
“The Government of South Sudan reaffirms its responsibility to protect Sudanese citizens residing in South Sudan and their properties, as demonstrated during the recent tensions,” Apuk echoed.
In a recent statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc in New York, Apuk clarified that Ramadan did not call for foreign force intervention but for a joint probe into Wad Madani killings.
Furthermore, the oreign affairs denied the allegation that they arrange hospitals for treatment of RSF soldiers.
“But we hosted a number of Sudanese soldiers who withdrew from Mariam city to South Sudan, particularly Northern Bahr Ghazal State, and from White Nile State to Renk,” she said.
“We are still accommodating some of these Sudanese soldiers in South Sudan after disarming them and considering them regular civilians, following norms and practices in such situations while awaiting their transportation back to Sudan,” Apuk added.
Recently, Sudan ministryof foreign affairs criticized Ramadan for calling UN and AU intervention into a joint probe against Sudanese army who murdered South Sudanese citizens, saying a statement is ‘unjustified’ and ‘unacceptable.’
It added that the statements had been made at a time retaliatory campaigns were allegedly underway in South Sudan capital, Juba, and other areas against Sudanese nationals, including retributions, murders, assaults and property destruction.
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said the government has exercised self-control regarding the South Sudanese transgressions in observance of historical relations between the peoples of the two countries.
It said the involvements of the South Sudanese mercenaries in war alongside the RSF have been documented.
Last month, SAF’s Assistant Commander in Chief General Yasir al-Atta presumed that the majority of mercenaries fighting alongside the RSF are South Sudanese, and they constitute 65 per cent.
Sudan foreign affairs claimed that they had approached South Sudan top officials and brought the issue to their attention over existence of South Sudanese in rebel groups but to no avail “offered the RSF many services including medical treatment in its hospitals.”
This came after the graphic footage circulating online depicts defenseless South Sudanese being rounded up, brutalized, slaughtered and killed, allegedly by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which led to the killing of about 29.