Crackdown Highlights Northern Route Tensions
South Sudan has intensified checks along its northern frontier amid fears that the country is becoming a key conduit for irregular migration out of the Horn of Africa. The latest arrests of 17 Eritreans illustrate both the scale of the flow and Juba’s evolving response.
Border Vigilance in Aweil
Authorities in Aweil intercepted 14 Eritreans, 13 men and a woman, as they tried to reach Sudan without papers, Director General Elia Costa Faustino confirmed. The group, now in Juba, faces charges under the Immigration Act.
Second Arrest near Paloch
Days later, security personnel detained two men and one woman near the oil hub of Paloch, again for traveling without identification. Investigators suspect the trio belonged to the same clandestine route linking Eritrea, South Sudan and Sudan.
Human Trafficking Corridor Under Scrutiny
Costa said many young Eritreans are shepherded through South Sudan toward Libya and the Mediterranean, seeking Europe. He called the pattern “human trafficking” and vowed deeper probes to expose the organizers financing transport across the desert.
Appeal for Regional Cooperation
The official urged embassies of Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia in Juba to help verify identities and discourage risky journeys. “Notification allows swift repatriation through legal channels,” he noted, citing earlier deportations of over 30 Eritreans.
Legal Entry Remains Encouraged
While praising border forces for vigilance, Costa stressed that South Sudan remains open to visitors who respect procedures. Presenting a passport or valid document, he said, is “the simple difference between a guest and a suspect.”