SSPDF soldiers posing in a photo on their deployment to DRC in 2022. File Photo
Chief of Defence of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), General Santino Deng Wol, accompanied by the Director of Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Service, General Akol Kur, as well as the Inspector-General of Police, General Atem Marol Biar, escorted an additional unspecified number of joint forces to disputed Aniet market area of Agok locality, 27 kilometers south of Abyei town on Tuesday.
The joint troops made of SSPDF soldiers, the National Security Service, and the South Sudan National Police Service were redeployed in Agok under the pretext of containing the deadly armed confrontations between the youth of the Dinka Ngok community and the neighboring Twic of Warrap State.
General Santino Deng Wol directed the joint forces to strictly follow their mandates of protecting the territorial integrity and assets of the Republic of South Sudan.
He cautioned the feuding youth of Twic and Ngok Dinka to immediately refrain from road ambushes, revenge killings, and fighting over the disputed Agok area.
“Your mission is to bring to an end the conflict between Twic and Ngok Dinka clans. I don’t want to hear any one of you involved in the political issues taking place in Juba. You are here to follow the orders. You are here not to discuss the borders between Twic and Ngok. It is not the business of police, national security, or the army,” Santino warned.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern about this latest deployment of forces in Abyei, saying it violates the agreement reached between Juba and Khartoum in 2011, which demilitarizes the Abyei box.
Guterres stated this while presenting a report to the UN Security Council on Tuesday 7 May 2024 in New York on the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei [UNIFA].
Guterres expressed concern about the presence of SSPDF in Abyei and its impact on the security situation in the restive region
UN disclosed that the SSPDF imposed restrictions on the movement of UNISFA peacekeepers in Agok which undermines the mission’s mandate.
In November last year, UNISFA acting force commander visited Juba and presented a verbal note to the government of South Sudan regarding the deployment of forces in Abyei, calling on them to withdraw immediately, but the forces are still in control of three schools and a community centre in Agok.
The Security Council established the Interim Security Forces mission in Abyei to monitor the borders of Sudan and South Sudan, protect civilians and relief workers, and secure humanitarian aid.
