Nicholas Haysom, head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), voiced worry about the Sudanese conflict extending into South Sudan during a press conference in Juba on Tuesday.
Haysom cited signs of potential recruitment activities by Sudanese groups within South Sudan, targeting young males for involvement in the ongoing conflict.
He emphasized the risk of firearms entering South Sudan and pledged to alert relevant authorities, even though UNMISS lacks direct control over the border.
The senior UN official noted that approximately 550,000 individuals have already crossed from Sudan into South Sudan, putting strain on local communities and escalating tensions.
Haysom highlighted the conflict’s broader impact, with over 7.2 million people displaced within and outside Sudan since hostilities began, and the UN is actively monitoring and addressing the cross-border implications.