UNMISS dispels security fears over returnees, refugees fleeing war in Sudan

There is no clear evidence to show that armed groups are crossing to South Sudan from neighbouring Sudan, the United Nations has said.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has also allayed fears that returnees and refugees running away from the war in Sudan pose security threats to South Sudan.

South Sudan has been grappling with humanitarian crisis, with more than 32,500 people crossing the border from Sudan so far, according to data from the UN.

There were fears that the uncontrolled influx of people would give room for bad elements to cross into the country – hence causing serious security concerns.

But UNMISS, which has been designated to control the area and tackle threats that may emerge across the border, said that no such threats have been detected so far.

“There is no candid evidence; there is nothing to suggest that armed groups are moving across the border,” Nicholas Haysom, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, said Wednesday, May 24, in Juba.

Haysom added that there is no or little evidence yet to show that participants in the conflict in Sudan have relocated to South Sudan, contrary to earlier fears by a section of South Sudanese.

War broke out in Sudan on April 15 between forces loyal to Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chairman of the Supreme Council, and his suspended deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Al-Burhan, who is the military leader of Sudan, draws support from the national army, while Dagalo is supported by the paramilitary side, the Rapid Support Forces, who were suspected to have retreated to areas bordering South Sudan to regroup and launch fresh attacks on the national army.