Sudanese Sweep Draws Fire
Juba residents were jolted this month after more than 100 South Sudanese women were deported from Khartoum without their children, igniting a diplomatic flurry between the two Sudans.
Khartoum insists the drive is a routine security sweep designed to regulate all foreigners, rejecting accusations of ethnic profiling.
Embassy Defends Unified Security Campaign
In a statement published in Juba, the Sudanese Embassy stressed that “recent measures… did not in any way target South Sudanese citizens” and form part of a nationwide plan to stabilise Khartoum.
Diplomats highlighted existing laws governing entry, stay and employment, arguing the operation respected “the dignity of all residents” while curbing crime and unmanaged migration.
Border Authorities Voice Humanitarian Concerns
On the ground, South Sudanese officials painted a harsher picture.
Renk County Commissioner Diing Deng Lueth called the separation of mothers and children “inhumane”, seized buses involved in the transfer and demanded safer procedures for any future returns.
Bilateral Ties Remain Resilient
Despite the uproar, both capitals cite deep cultural and economic ties forged since South Sudan’s 2011 independence.
Juba’s Foreign Minister Monday Semaya recently visited Port Sudan, a trip the embassy says underscores “the depth and strength” of relations amid shared challenges from conflict to climate shocks.
Regional Analysts Urge Dialogue
Policy observers in Nairobi note that migration pressures, economic hardship and security vacuums make large-scale sweeps tempting but risky, urging transparent protocols and joint monitoring teams.
An inclusive task force, they argue, may reassure border communities, protect vulnerable migrants and prevent rumours from unsettling two nations already grappling with domestic unrest.
Looking Ahead to Coordinated Solutions
Khartoum pledges continued support for South Sudanese residents, while Juba presses for family unity in any future operations.
With public scrutiny high, sustained dialogue and clear legal pathways could transform a moment of tension into a model for cooperative border management across the Horn.