Rhino: Agencies – South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Tuesday expressed its displeasure at the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) linking its citizens in Sudan to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In a press conference in Juba, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Apok Ayol Main said they regret the statements that followed what she described as “unjustified, horrific and despicable” massacres of South Sudanese citizens in Gezira State last month.

On January 20, 2025, media outlets broadcast video footage of General Yasser al-Atta, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, addressing troops from an undisclosed location, claiming during his speech that South Sudanese make up 65% of the RSF soldiers.

Ms. Mayne also refuted claims that South Sudan was harboring and treating wounded RSF fighters, saying that their country has since protected dozens of Sudanese army soldiers who fled Sudan to Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Renk counties in Upper Nile State.

Mayne also said that although General Atta acknowledged that many of those who joined the RSF were opposition elements, namely the group led by General Stephen Bui, he falsely accused South Sudan of supporting the RSF.

South Sudan believes that General Atta was aware that the Sudanese military has a tradition of arming South Sudanese militias, for which the Sudanese Armed Forces has a special section called the “Popular and National Forces Section,” which is tasked with recruiting South Sudanese citizens.

She also emphasized that it has been proven to them in the South Sudanese government that these militia elements, meaning Stephen Bui’s group, continue to harass their country’s regime along the border where they are used by the Sudanese military intelligence.

Mayne revealed that some of the militia members used by the armed forces have been sent to wars as far away as Yemen.

“According to our reliable records, the Sudanese government has sent two groups of South Sudanese to Yemen: The group led by the late General Peter Gedet Yak and General Thomas Thiel Awak,” she said.

The spokesperson emphasized that Sudan’s claim that South Sudanese make up 65 percent of the RSF is exaggerated.

She added: “In fact, many of the mentioned South Sudanese groups are still fighting alongside the Sudanese Armed Forces, stating that General Thomas Thiel Awak – also known as Al-Tom Ali Al-Zein – is from Twic County in Warrap State in the Sudanese Military Intelligence Unit, along with General Jafur Dhu Al-Beit from Abyei, and General Ibrahim Almaz Deng.

Mayne asked: “Why did General Atta fail to mention them,” adding that they are surprised that General Atta is promoting such lies that may be a motive for some members of the Sudanese Armed Forces to commit horrific massacres against innocent South Sudanese citizens in and around Wad Madani.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan issued a surprise statement on January 23, 2025, in which it responded to General Yasser al-Atta’s statements, rejecting as baseless the accusations he made to the media.

Mayne also said that Foreign Minister Ramadan Mohamed Abdalla Gok’s recent statement in New York was not aimed at requesting AU and UN intervention in Sudan.

She explained that the minister only sought the support of the UN Security Council to join our call for an investigation into the tragic massacre of our innocent citizens in Jazira State, to ensure transparency and swift results for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.

Main reiterated South Sudan’s call for the UN Security Council and the African Union to undertake a credible investigation into the Wad Madani massacre.

The horrific incidents committed by the Sudanese army and allied militias have drawn condemnation from Juba, IGAD and the AU, and raised concerns about the safety of thousands of South Sudanese citizens who are said to be stranded in the war-torn country.

Aljamaheer