ANOTHER INCURSION: Sudan’s RSF invades Raja, exploits gold

By Deng Ghai Deng

Brown land

The Commissioner of Raja County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State has reported that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have encroached into South Sudan territory and are currently occupying at least five payams within the area.
Commissioner Musa disclosed on Wednesday that the RSF, which has been engaged in ongoing conflict with the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) since April 15, 2023, is now reportedly exploiting the area’s mineral resources, including gold.
“The RSF has taken control of the payams of Radom, Kafia Kinji, Sungu, and Hofra Al Nahas. They are still occupying the areas and these areas have minerals, especially gold. So I decided to make a call to our national government so that there is a diplomatic approach between the government of South Sudan and the government of Sudan so that our areas are vacated,” Musa said.
Commissioner Musa expressed grave concern over the exploitation of local resources and the harassment of civilians by the RSF, who are reportedly forcing residents to join their armed rebellion.
Commissioner Musa has called on the South Sudan national government to engage in diplomatic discussions with Sudan to address the occupation and withdrawal of RSF forces from the contested areas.
For his part, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF), stated that the SSPDF is currently verifying the report and consulting with their commander on the ground for further information.
This is another incursion following the annexation of parts of the country by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in Pogee of Eastern Equatoria and Kajo-Keji county of Central Equatoria State.
Officials in Pogee reported that the UPDF has increasingly occupied South Sudan’s land, displacing local communities and establishing several settlements in previously South Sudanese-held areas including Katoko, Gotlela, Arambeel, Adodi, and Paragadwanya.
The UPDF has reportedly set up over eight new military barracks along the border and deployed additional patrol forces, further exacerbating the tension in the border areas.
While in Kajo-Keji, local authorities have reported over 200 villages have been taken by the UPDF.
Despite the outcry from local citizens and the clear violations of territorial integrity, the government has remained notably silent.
Experts believe that the absence of government response indicates internal political and economic struggles that may compromise the government’s ability to defend its sovereignty.
Last week, a member of parliament accused a faction of security ‘cartels’ within President Salva Kiir’s office of compromising national security by allowing foreign military forces to operate unchecked within South Sudan.