In a dramatic turn of events, the Sudanese government, led by the army, has temporarily suspended the arrest of South Sudanese refugees, who have been ensnared in the crossfire of Sudan’s escalating civil war. This decision comes amidst mounting diplomatic pressure from Juba.
The crackdown on South Sudanese nationals, which began in late June and escalated through mid-July 2024, was spearheaded by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The SAF, driven by unfounded suspicions of foreign backing for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), targeted refugees across several states, including River Nile, White Nile, Gadaref, and Northern states.
The raids, marked by fear and uncertainty, led to numerous arrests of South Sudanese refugees, who were accused—often without evidence—of collaborating with the RSF. Many believe these allegations were fabricated by the SAF as a pretext for their actions.
One refugee, recently released from detention in Halfa, described his harrowing experience. “I was forcibly taken from my home and relocated to Shajarab II refugee camp in Kassala State without the chance to say goodbye to my family. The ordeal was terrifying, and I feared deportation to South Sudan. I’m relieved to be back, and I hope the conflict ends soon,” he recounted.
The arrests provoked a strong reaction from South Sudanese officials. Stephen Lual Ngor, a member of South Sudan’s parliamentary committee on foreign relations, confirmed that the South Sudanese government intervened decisively. “We have made it clear to Sudanese authorities that these detentions must cease. The rights of our citizens must be upheld,” Ngor asserted, emphasizing the distress experienced by the South Sudanese community in Sudan.
Diplomatic sources suggest that Sudan’s decision to halt the arrests was influenced by Juba’s stern warning, which included the potential deportation of Sudanese nationals residing in South Sudan. “We were explicit that targeting our people would have serious repercussions,” revealed an anonymous South Sudanese diplomat.
The crackdown’s impact has been severe, with refugees recounting distressing stories of arrest, forced relocation to refugee camps, and subsequent release. Kalangkit Machar (a pseudonym), who was detained, expressed relief at his release. “We were told we’d be sent to a distant camp, but they eventually let us go. I’m just thankful it’s over,” he said.
This episode underscores the precarious situation of South Sudanese refugees, who find themselves trapped between a relentless war and the SAF’s paranoia. With Sudan’s conflict showing no signs of abating and the SAF growing increasingly desperate, the respite for refugees may be short-lived.
The fraught relationship between Sudan and South Sudan, which were once a single nation until South Sudan’s 2011 independence, continues to complicate the lives of those affected by the ongoing conflict. As South Sudan grapples with its own economic challenges, the plight of refugees seeking safety across the border remains dire.