By Matik Kueth
A fresh security scare rippled through South Sudan’s northern frontier after troops from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) crossed into Panakuach, fleeing heavy clashes around the volatile Heglig oil zone.
The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) stated that they have since taken charge of the situation, disarming the soldiers and placing them under surveillance as the conflict next door intensifies.
Lt. Gen. Johnson Olony, SSPDF’s Assistant Chief for Mobilization and Disarmament, confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that dozens of exhausted SAF fighters streamed across the border after intense battles with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Southern Kordofan.
“We received them, took their weapons, and they are now under our care. South Sudan is not a participant in Sudan’s war. Our duty is clear, protect our territory, our people, and our national resources,” Olony stated.
According to him, the troops will remain in secure locations until President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan issue final instructions on their fate, as their weapons have already been stored pending high-level decisions.
South Sudan has also strengthened security along the Heglig axis, a corridor that remains one of the most sensitive economic hotspots for the young nation.
SSPDF Chief of Staff Gen. Dr. Paul Nang is currently stationed in Ruweng, coordinating with local authorities and overseeing the handling of the disarmed SAF soldiers.
Authorities insist the soldiers were taken in purely on humanitarian grounds and are being kept away from civilian areas to prevent infiltration by foreign fighters or opportunistic groups seeking to exploit the chaos.
Their arrival follows dramatic developments across the border, where RSF forces reportedly captured Heglig, Sudan’s crucial oil hub and the lifeline for South Sudan’s crude exports.
Workers at the site rushed into South Sudan as RSF columns advanced, forcing a sudden halt in production.
The RSF later announced on its channels that it entered Heglig after SAF “withdrew,” calling the takeover a major achievement. Videos circulating online appear to show RSF troops moving through the oil fields, though these visuals remain unverified.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been locked in a brutal conflict that has splintered the country, devastated infrastructure, and displaced millions.
Control of Heglig has emerged as one of the most fiercely contested battles, with both sides seeking leverage over the economic artery.
Recent RSF strikes, including a deadly drone attack on a kindergarten and hospital in Southern Kordofan, have added to the instability, and analysts warn that more SAF soldiers could attempt to cross into South Sudan if pressure intensifies.
Despite the turbulence, Juba maintains that its position remains unchanged: strict neutrality, but maximum vigilance to protect its borders, communities, and vital oil installations.