SAF Reveals South Sudan Military Buildup at the Border

Khartoum – The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) has revealed South Sudan military buildup along the border with the Republic of Sudan.

SAF Spokesperson, Col. Al-Sawarmi Khalid Saad, said despite the South Sudan’s military buildup the situation at the border is stable, adding that the buildup monitored at border amounts to 80% of the SPLA strength.

Speaking to Sudan Radio yesterday, Col. Al-Sawarmi said the situation is under the control of SAF which is also closely monitoring the border area, adding that SAF has military bases at all these areas and its presence can not be described as military buildup.

The Spokesperson ruled out that the Government of South Sudan has expelled Darfur rebel movements from its territories, saying the presence of Darfur rebels was monitored at the border areas and they are receiving support from Juba.

Juba alleged that it had expelled Darfur rebels from its territories but over the last two weeks some of these rebel groups entered North and South Darfur States but they again returned to South Sudan and they are currently in Unity and Bahr el Ghazal States and receive direct support from the Government of South Sudan, he said.

With regard to Abyei, Al-Sawarmi indicated that after SAF had redeployed outside Abyei the Ethiopian troops assumed the responsibility of security in the Area but the Sudan Armed Forces and other security organs continue to undertake their role of providing protection to citizens and their property.