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6 July 2024 (Juba) – South Sudan has hosted Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) troops following the fall of the town of Meram in Sudan’s West Kordofan State, resulting in the massive displacement of civilians.
Major General Angon Ngom, commander of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), told Sudan Tribune on Saturday that the overall security situation in the area was under control, except for the withdrawal of Sudanese armed forces from Meram.
“The overall security situation is good. The whole area of Northern Bahr el Ghazal is calm,” General Ongom explained. “People are living their normal lives. Only from the Sudanese side we have received Sudanese armed forces that were withdrawn from Meram. They are now in Walget and we have instructed them to stay there until we receive instructions from headquarters. They are now under our control and are being treated as refugees.”
Reports of the fall of Melam, a district in West Kordofan state about 60 km from the South Sudanese border, and its military bases come as the war between Sudanese troops and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been going on for more than 14 months. Prior to this, the RSF captured Fula, the capital of West Kordofan state, two weeks ago.
Melam is the headquarters of the 92nd Brigade. After it was captured by the Rapid Security Forces, a large number of South Sudanese people were displaced.
Ding Aher Ngong, the governor of Awir East County, confirmed that the Sudanese Armed Forces had withdrawn from Meram to Warguet and Majak Wuoi, saying they were accompanied by the commander of the 92nd Brigade, Brig.-Gen.
Commissioner Ngong assured that the security of the Sudanese Armed Forces and their commanders is now under the control of South Sudan. “We have designated assembly areas for them and we are awaiting instructions from the headquarters in Juba and the political leadership of the country,” he said. “These Sudanese Armed Forces are now in South Sudan, under the control of our army, in the areas of Walgait, Majak-Woi and Wal-Ayan in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.”
He added that the fighting in Meram had displaced thousands of Sudanese and South Sudanese residents, leading to a dire humanitarian situation in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state.
Local authorities in Malith Alek Yai, Majak-Wuoi and War-Ayen separately told Sudan Tribune that following reports of the Rapid Support Forces’ movement, there was a massive exodus of residents and displaced persons from the Meram area due to fears of conflict.
The influx of returnees fleeing the conflict and Sudanese refugees has put pressure on local resources, leading to shortages of clean drinking water, basic supplies and medical services.
(English stone)
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