Parliament Voices Concern Over Domestic Displacement
In a letter circulated in Bor, MP Wany Bum Makhor urged President Salva Kiir to centre scarce resources on nearly two million internally displaced citizens before opening the borders to Palestinians fleeing the Gaza war.
Makhor praised Juba’s humanitarian tradition, noting South Sudan’s vote in March supporting a ceasefire in Gaza, yet urged a “realistic evaluation of bandwidth” before offering territory and services to new arrivals.
Financial and Security Realities on the Ground
UN OCHA estimates that 9.4 million South Sudanese will need assistance this year, while oil revenues have dipped amid global price swings, shrinking the fiscal room for expanded shelter programmes.
Defence analysts highlight continuing skirmishes along the Ugandan border and in Upper Nile, arguing that porous frontiers could expose any incoming refugees and host communities to armed spill-overs.
Alternative Paths of Solidarity With Gaza
Diplomats in Juba say the government could channel food aid through the Arab League’s relief corridor, lobby for reconstruction funds at the African Union, and offer scholarships for Gazan students in partnership with regional universities.
Such options would project empathy without stretching domestic infrastructure, echoing Makhor’s call for “capacity-driven compassion”.
Regional Diplomacy and the Optics of Benevolence
Observers note that Kampala, Nairobi, and Khartoum are also weighing gestures toward Palestinians, viewing them as avenues to raise international profiles and attract donor goodwill.
For Juba, aligning humanitarian outreach with internal stabilisation may safeguard its credibility, ensuring that sympathy abroad does not undermine confidence at home.
Balancing Humanitarian Ambition and National Resilience
Government spokespeople reiterate that the president is still “consulting partners” before taking a final decision, underscoring that any pledge will be matched with realistic budgeting and security planning.
Whether South Sudan ultimately receives Palestinians or supports them from afar, Makhor’s missive has spotlighted the wider dilemma faced by many post-conflict states: delivering solidarity without diluting hard-won stability.