South Sudan President Kiir orders strict border control with Sudan

From Sudan Tribune JUBA, South Sudan
Dated Friday, January 12, 2024 - here is a copy in full:

South Sudan president orders strict border control with Sudan

President Salva Kiir

JUBA, January 12, 2024 – South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has ordered a crackdown on illicit movement and activities along the country’s border with Sudan, citing concerns that these activities could undermine national security.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting held on Thursday to address the recent escalation of communal tensions in the greater Bahr El Ghazal region. The president expressed particular concern about the possibility of illicit firearms entering the country from Sudan and being used in the ongoing conflicts between communities in Abyei, Warrap, and Western Bahr El Ghazal States.

“You must work together to control your borders, especially with Sudan,” Kiir said. “Some people may take advantage of our gesture of allowing brothers and sisters from Sudan to flee the current conflict and use it as an opportunity to deal in arms. This will undermine the security of our borders. So, coordinate your efforts with relevant institutions at all government levels.”

The president also condemned the violence and directed the Chief Administrator of Abyei and the governors of Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal States to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and engage with relevant stakeholders to restore peace between the affected communities.

Presidential Affairs Minister Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro told SSBC TV that all four governors of Bahr El Ghazal, as well as the governor of Unity State and the chief administrators of Abyei and Ruweng, unanimously agreed to an immediate end to hostilities and the deployment of security forces to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services in the affected areas.

Bakasoro also revealed that a comprehensive document outlining the full resolutions of the meeting will soon be released to the relevant institutions for implementation. He added that the high-level meeting demonstrated a strong commitment to consolidating peace and security nationwide.

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Tong Akeen Ngor; Governor of Warrap, Kuol Muor Muor; governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial; Governor of Unity State, Joseph Nguen Monytuil; governor of Lakes, State, Riny Tueny Mabior; Abyei Chief Administrator Chol Deng Alaak; and Ruweng Chief Administrator, Stefano Wieu.

In addition, the meeting was attended by several presidential aides and ministers, including the minister of presidential affairs, Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro; Minister of information, Michael Makuei Lueth; deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Ramadan Abdallah Goch; presidential special envoy Benjamin Bol Mel; presidential advisor on national security affairs Tut Gatluak; the chief of defence forces of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces General Santino Deng Wol; Director General of the Internal Bureau of National Security Services, Akol Koor Kuc; and Inspector General of Police, Atem Marol Biar. (ST)

View original: https://sudantribune.com/article281222/

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S. Sudan, Warrap: Prison break, 35 inmates on the run

From Radio Tamazuj 
Dated 8 December 2023 - full copy:

Prison break in Warrap: 35 inmates on the run

Warrap State authorities reported that 57 inmates escaped from Ayen Abiel prison in Twic County of Warrap State over the weekend. Official statements indicate that armed youth suspected to have come from Majook Noon payam attacked the prison at night, breaking the prison gates and facilitating the escape of the prisoners.

Of the fifty-seven escaped inmates, twenty-two have been recaptured along the border of Abyei and Kuajok town and are currently in police custody.

Major General John Machar Aweer, the Director of Prisons for Warrap State, told Radio Tamazu that efforts are underway to locate the remaining escaped prisoners in villages and towns.

“This incident occurred on Sunday last week in Twic County at the Ayen Abiel prison. Members of the Tit-Weng (Cattle Defense Force) attacked the prison, apprehended the prison warden, tied him up, and took his gun. They then fired shots where the police slept, but fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, and a total of 57 inmates escaped,” he said.

He added, “The Tit-Weng force used an axe to break the padlock, allowing 57 inmates to escape alongside armed youth suspected to belong to Majook Noon payam. This is the sequence of events, and ongoing searches and investigations are currently in progress.”

“We have successfully apprehended 22 inmates, but 35 are still missing. Our search efforts are ongoing, and the commissioner has established a committee comprising security and administrative personnel to track down the remaining escaped inmates.”

Machar mentioned that the county commissioner has instructed the chief of Majook Noon to recover the gun taken during the armed youth’s attack on the prison and holds him responsible for the incident.

Meanwhile, Simon Aguek, the Twic County commissioner, confirmed the situation, stating, “A group of criminals broke into the prison on the night of December 3, allowing 57 inmates to escape. I formed a committee to investigate and identify the criminals, and it appears that the attackers are still within Twic County.”

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/prison-break-in-warrap-35-inmates-on-the-run

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