Statement from the Council of Ministers of Peace Government on the forced deportation of citizens of the Republic of South Sudan

The Council of Ministers is following with great concern and deep regret the news and reports of forced and illegal deportations of citizens of the Republic of South Sudan residing in their second home, Sudan, some of whom have spent many years there, in a natural extension of the deep historical ties between the two brotherly peoples.

It noted that the actions of the Port Sudan gang against their brothers from South Sudan constitute hostile behavior and practices based on oppression and abhorrent racial discrimination against marginalized Sudanese peoples, which the Council of Ministers strongly condemns and rejects in its entirety, considering it an extension of the violation of the dignity of Sudanese human beings — whether from northern or southern Sudan.

The Council of Ministers affirms that the actions of the Port Sudan clique do not represent the Sudanese people, who hold their brothers in South Sudan in high esteem and respect. It considers that any forced deportation of South Sudanese citizens is morally and legally unacceptable and has no connection to the values and morals of the Sudanese people.

The Council of Ministers, working to consolidate the foundations of peace, partnership, and coexistence, considers that such practices are completely contrary to the spirit of historical relations between the two countries and to the values on which the bonds of brotherhood and communication between the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan are based. They also undermine the process of building trust and deepening cooperation between them.

Accordingly, the Council of Ministers declares the following:

It condemns in the strongest and most unequivocal terms any deportation or Forced expulsion of South Sudanese citizens from Sudanese territory.

Reaffirms its full commitment to protecting all South Sudanese residents in Sudan and ensuring that they are treated with dignity and fairness as citizens in their second homeland, in accordance with national laws and international human rights conventions.

It directs the competent authorities to facilitate the movement of South Sudanese citizens to areas under the control of the peace government without any restrictions and to ensure that they are treated with respect and humanity.

Calls on international and humanitarian organizations, foremost among them the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to cooperate closely with the peace government to monitor the situation of South Sudanese citizens and ensure their safety and the protection of their rights.

It affirms its firm determination to strengthen and develop fraternal relations and joint cooperation with the government and people of South Sudan in support of the process of peace and unity between the two brotherly peoples”.