(JUBA) – President Salva Kiir has warned of growing security risks from the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan and has ordered stricter border control measures to prevent the violence from spilling into South Sudan, particularly in the contested Abyei region.
The warning was issued during a high level meeting in Juba between Kiir and the Chief Administrator of Abyei. His comments, broadcast on Thursday by South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), follow a series of concerning incidents in the oil rich region, which is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan.
Kiir emphasised the need for local authorities to coordinate with neighbouring states to maintain calm.
“Don’t allow that situation to spill over the area,” the president directed, referring to growing instability in Sudan’s Kordofan region and its impact on Abyei.
Abyei, located along the disputed border, has become a temporary refuge for Sudanese fleeing renewed fighting in Kordofan. The region has witnessed increased pressure on its already strained humanitarian and security resources.
In response to this growing threat, President Kiir instructed for enhanced security patrols and tighter border management. The move follows two recent incidents that have raised alarm. According to Information Minister Yohana Akol Ngor, armed men believed to be from the Misseriya tribe, reportedly allied with Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), ambushed traders on Thursday and made away with motorcycles.
In a separate incident on 22 July, unidentified armed individuals broke into a detention facility at Abyei’s Amiet Market and freed a robbery suspect along with other detainees.
Minister Ngor stated that while the immediate security situation had been stabilised, these incidents had led to increased vigilance and a comprehensive report being submitted to the president.
“The president has directed the administrator to curb the security situation, especially the situation at the border where crossing activities with Sudan are rampant,” he said.
Abyei’s status has remained unresolved since the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended Sudan’s decades-long civil war. The accord provided for a referendum to determine whether Abyei would join South Sudan or remain part of Sudan. However, the vote has never taken place, leaving the area in a state of legal and administrative limbo.
The recent cross border tensions, influx of refugees and armed activity have heightened concerns that Abyei could become a flashpoint as conflict in Sudan continues.