South Sudan army accuses RSF of backing rebels, beefs up northern border security

BENTIU – The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Wednesday accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Sudan of collaborating with South Sudanese rebels and announced the deployment of heavy weaponry to its border to protect oilfields.

Speaking to Sudans Post during a visit to the Sudanese border, Maj. Gen. William Manyang Mayak, the 4^th Infantry Division Commander in Unity State, said the army has credible information about the RSF’s collaboration with South Sudanese rebels led by General Stephen Buay Rolnyang.

General Buay, a former commander of the 4^th Infantry Division, defected in 2021 following years of detention under suspicion of collaborating with the SPLA-IO.

General Manyang, accompanied by the Unity State gubernatorial security advisor Salam Malual and the commissioner of Rubkona County, Kasara Juol Dador, visited the border to assess the situation.

He claimed the RSF and General Buay’s forces are planning attacks on Fulla and Heglig, followed by the South Sudanese border and its oilfields.

“We came with the security advisor for Unity State and commissioner of Rubkona County. The commissioner of Aliny County (of Ruweng Administrative Area) is also coming,” he said. “We want to meet here to discuss the security situation at the border.”

General Manyang confirmed the collaboration between General Buay and the RSF, citing sources within Sudan who help the army gather information about their activities.

“We have confirmed that renegade General Stephen Buay’s forces are moving together with the Rapid Support Forces. They are attacking the Sudanese government together,” he said.

Anticipating a potential attack from Sudan, the army has deployed heavy weapons to the border. However, General Manyang emphasized that the deployment is primarily to protect civilians.

“We brought all our heavy equipment to the border to protect our civilians,” he said. “If the Rapid Support Forces attacked Heglig, they would definitely attack the South Sudanese oil field. We are ready.”

He reiterated that the army is waiting at the border to observe the situation, with all heavy equipment and personnel deployed.

General Buay did not immediately respond to Sudans Post’s request for comment.