The South Sudanese police announced that they received 31 citizens deported from neighboring Sudan at the Joda border crossing in Renk County, Upper Nile State, on April 15, 2026. This sudden displacement has once again brought the ongoing border movements and security situation between the two nations into sharp focus.
During a press conference held in Juba on Thursday, South Sudan Police Spokesperson Major General Daniel Justin stated that the returnees entered the country through Renk, which serves as a critical transit point between the two states. According to the spokesperson, police authorities immediately initiated a registration process upon their arrival to document personal details and verify the identities of the individuals.
A major point of concern highlighted by Major General Justin was the lack of official communication or explanation from the Sudanese government regarding why these citizens were deported.
The spokesperson noted, “We have not received any official report from the Sudanese government regarding the conduct of these individuals or the specific reasons behind their deportation.” This lack of transparency has raised diplomatic questions, especially as South Sudanese nationals continue to face hardships and arbitrary deportations amidst the ongoing conflict within Sudan.
Despite the unclear circumstances of their removal, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other humanitarian partners are providing essential support to the returnees. Major General Justin confirmed that none of the 31 returnees were found to be in critical health condition and that all are receiving necessary medical attention and basic aid.
The primary goal of the registration process is to ensure each returnee is properly documented and to conduct security screenings before they are reintegrated into their communities. The police are working in coordination with relevant agencies to facilitate their resettlement across various parts of the country.
This type of sudden deportation is not an isolated event; similar cases have been frequently reported at the Renk border over the past few months. Reports suggest that the primary reasons for such actions against South Sudanese nationals living in Sudan are often linked to a lack of legal residency documentation and heightened security concerns stemming from Sudan’s internal war.
The current conflict in Sudan has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee into South Sudan, placing an immense strain on the country’s fragile economy and humanitarian response capacity. South Sudanese authorities are monitoring the situation closely while awaiting a formal response from the Sudanese side regarding these latest developments. Major General Justin concluded by affirming the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens and ensuring they hold proper documentation, while also calling on international organizations to scale up their support for the returnees.
