July 6, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan is hosting units of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) following the fall of Meram, a town in West Kordofan, Sudan, which has caused large-scale displacement of civilians.

Major General Angon Ungom, commander of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), told Sudan Tribune on Saturday that the general security situation in the area was under control, except for the presence of SAF units who withdrew from Meram.

“The general security situation is okay. The entire area of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State is peaceful and calm,” explained General Ungom. “People are going about their normal business. It is only from the side of Sudan that we received units of the SAF who withdrew from Meram. They are in Warguet, and we have instructed them to stay there until we receive directives from the general headquarters. They are now under our control and are being treated as refugees.”

Meram, a locality in West Kordofan State, is located approximately 60 kilometres from the border with South Sudan. Reports of its fall, along with its military base, come over 14 months into the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This follows the RSF’s seizure of Al-Fula, the capital of West Kordofan State, two weeks prior.

Meram serves as the headquarters of the 92nd Brigade, and its fall to the RSF has caused widespread displacement in South Sudan.

Aweil East County Commissioner Ding Aher Ngong confirmed the withdrawal of SAF units from Meram to Warguet and Majak Wuoi, stating that the commander of the 92nd Brigade, a Brigadier General, accompanied them.

Commissioner Ngong assured that the security of the SAF units and their commander was now under the control of South Sudan. “We have designated assembly areas for them while we await directives from the general headquarters in Juba and the country’s political leadership,” he said. “These SAF units are now inside South Sudan, under the control of our army in Warguet, Majak-Wuoi, and War-Ayen areas in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.”

He added that the fighting in Meram had displaced thousands of Sudanese and South Sudanese residents, causing a dire humanitarian situation in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

Local authorities in Malith Alek Yai, Majak-Wuoi, and War-Ayen separately informed Sudan Tribune that Meram had experienced a mass exodus of residents and displaced persons in anticipation of clashes following reports of RSF movements.

The influx of returnees and Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict is straining local resources, causing shortages of clean drinking water, essential supplies, and medical services.

(ST)