Leaked Sudan-South Sudan air control deal gives SAF advantage over RSF

JUBA – A leaked agreement between South Sudan and its northern neighbor, Sudan, reveals a secret power-sharing arrangement for South Sudan’s airspace, potentially tipping the scales in Sudan’s ongoing civil war.

According to a copy of the deal obtained by Sudans Post, Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has been managing South Sudan’s airspace since December 2023, giving the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) a tactical advantage against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Despite South Sudan’s efforts to establish its own air traffic control system since independence in 2011, and despite the completion of a new Juba control tower in April 2024, the country has been forced to rely on Sudan for air traffic control services.

This indicates that South Sudan’s plans for independent airspace management have been delayed or compromised, potentially due to ongoing conflicts or logistical challenges.

Under the agreement, Sudan will provide six experienced air traffic control officers to manage South Sudan’s airspace, giving Sudan direct oversight and potentially a strategic advantage in the region.

Additionally, Sudan has agreed to train South Sudanese air traffic controllers. Observers say that while this suggests a commitment to helping South Sudan develop its own capabilities, it also raises questions about the extent of Sudan’s control over South Sudan’s airspace.

The agreement outlines a revenue-sharing arrangement between the two countries. However, the specific terms remain undisclosed.

Analysts fear the SAF could exploit Sudan’s control of South Sudan’s airspace to monitor RSF movements and gather intelligence, potentially targeting supply lines or launching airstrikes.

This deal raises questions about South Sudan’s sovereignty and its ability to maintain control over its own territory. Reliance on Sudan for essential services like air traffic control highlights the challenges it faces in establishing independence.

Despite these concerns, South Sudan is making progress towards reclaiming control. President Salva Kiir announced in April 2024 that the completion of the Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) would soon allow them to take over from Sudan.

The ATMS project includes a new control tower, operation building, surveillance and navigation systems, and communication infrastructure – essential for independent air traffic control.

The agreement with Sudan may be temporary, allowing South Sudan time to develop its own capabilities and ultimately take full control of its airspace, a goal they’ve been working towards for years.