SAF threatens to hold ‘corrupt’ South Sudan leadership accountable over RSF support

KHARTOUM – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has issued a stark warning to South Sudan, threatening to hold its “corrupt” leadership accountable for allegedly supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.

General Yassir Abdulrahim Hassan Al-Atta, deputy SAF commander in chief and a member of the Transitional Sovereign Council, made the accusations during a funeral in Gaderef state. He alleged that South Sudan, along with Chad and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is actively providing material support to the RSF, which is engaged in fierce fighting with the SAF.

“We will hold the UAE and the corrupt client centers in South Sudan accountable,” Al-Atta declared, also issuing threats against Chad.

South Sudan’s foreign ministry responded with a strong condemnation of Al-Atta’s remarks, while notably avoiding direct comment on the “corrupt” accusation. The ministry stressed the violation of international norms and the dangers of such inflammatory rhetoric.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation of recent public statements made by General Yasir Al-Atta, Assistant Deputy Commander in Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, in which he issued threats of military aggression against the people and sovereignty of South Sudan,” the ministry stated.

“The remarks … are not only reckless and provocative but also a blatant violation of the principles of good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence, and international law… The Government of the Republic of South Sudan will take all necessary measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens. We remain vigilant and prepared to defend our nation against any form of aggression while continuing to pursue diplomatic solutions to maintain peace in our region,” the statement continued.

The SAF’s threat comes amid escalating insecurity along the Sudan-South Sudan border in Upper Nile state, where clashes have erupted between the RSF and South Sudan’s main armed opposition, the SPLA-IO.

This suggests that RSF forces are operating from within South Sudanese territory, adding to the tensions.

While relations between Sudan and South Sudan have been relatively peaceful since the Heglig crisis in 2012, the recent accusatory rhetoric underscores the deeply strained relationship between the two nations.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following a referendum mandated by a 2005 peace deal that ended two decades of civil war.

Despite this, the two nations have struggled to establish stable and cooperative relations, and the current accusations threaten to destabilize the region further.