Tensed relations: South Sudan accuses Sudan of violating airspace

Tensions between the two Sudans has reached another level this week.

Barely a week after Sudan threatened to close its border with the south, the South Sudanese government is now accusing its northern neighbouring of violating its airspace and carrying out surprise bombardments in its territory.

According to South Sudanese officials, personnel from Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAP) carried out the bombings on Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) territory.

“This morning at about 11:00AM, an Antonov belonging to Sudan Air force bombed our defensive positions at Babaneis east of Renk town in Eastern Nile State. A total of 12 bombs were dropped; one exploded near Battalion 109 Military Police post setting it ablaze,” said the SPLA’s Brigadier General Lul Ruai Koang in a press statement.

South Sudan accuses north of bombing raid https://t.co/cYmaO92kT1

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A number of weapons and army shelters were destroyed in the bombings that took place in the northern part of the Upper Nile region in South Sudan.

“It’s good to inform our forces, people of South Sudan, (the) region and the international community that the aerial bombardments by (the) Sudan Air force were launched without provocation and constitute violations of our air space. SPLA military leadership urges Sudan Army to respect the territorial integrity of the Republic of South Sudan,” Koang said.

The Sudanese government’s threat to close its border with the south was based on an intelligence report which accused Juba of supporting rebel groups in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile states.

South Sudan on the other hand has denied the allegations describing them as “negative propaganda”, especially claims that it has planned imminent attacks against Khartoum’s government forces.

“This is untrue. It is a negative propaganda. I hope it is not implementation of the promised “media warfare till the last drop of blood” which the government’s army headquarters announced in Juba this week,” said James Gatdet Dak, spokesperson of the opposition leader.

Analysts have recently warned that the current situation between the two Sudans may explode at any time if precautionary measures are not put in place.

AFP