UN expresses concern over spillover of Sudan conflict into South Sudan

JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) voiced alarm on Tuesday over reports indicating potential recruitment activities in South Sudan by parties involved in the Sudan conflict, where young men and boys are being enlisted to bolster their forces.

Nicholas Haysom, Head of UNMISS, addressed a news conference at the UNMISS base in Juba, expressing concerns that firearms may begin flowing into South Sudan as the conflict in Sudan persists.

“These are not issues that we in UNMISS can readily deal with. We don’t maintain the border, we don’t maintain customs, but we would be keen to alert communities and the authorities, if we can, to play a helpful role in minimizing what could be a potentially very disruptive spillover of the conflict,” Haysom said.

Haysom highlighted that approximately 550,000 people have crossed into South Sudan from Sudan, with expectations of further increases.

This influx is placing growing strain on communities, leading to tensions among displaced individuals and host communities as the conflict persists.

“The longer the conflict continues, the more stress, the less able communities are to absorb newcomers. And you know it’s happening at a time when the humanitarian food aid pot is growing smaller,” he said.

“And so, we are beginning to see signs of tension between the newcomers and the host communities which are looking after them,” he added.

According to the UN, more than 7.2 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15, 2023.