South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has ordered a crackdown on illicit movement and activities along the country’s border with Sudan, citing concerns that these activities could undermine national security.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting held on Thursday to address the recent escalation of communal tensions in the greater Bahr El Ghazal region. The president expressed particular concern about the possibility of illicit firearms entering the country from Sudan and being used in the ongoing conflicts between communities in Abyei, Warrap, and Western Bahr El Ghazal States.

“You must work together to control your borders, especially with Sudan,” Kiir said. “Some people may take advantage of our gesture of allowing brothers and sisters from Sudan to flee the current conflict and use it as an opportunity to deal in arms. This will undermine the security of our borders. So, coordinate your efforts with relevant institutions at all government levels.”

The president also condemned the violence and directed the Chief Administrator of Abyei and the governors of Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal States to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and engage with relevant stakeholders to restore peace between the affected communities.

Presidential Affairs Minister Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro told SSBC TV that all four governors of Bahr El Ghazal, as well as the governor of Unity State and the chief administrators of Abyei and Ruweng, unanimously agreed to an immediate end to hostilities and the deployment of security forces to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services in the affected areas.

Bakasoro also revealed that a comprehensive document outlining the full resolutions of the meeting will soon be released to the relevant institutions for implementation. He added that the high-level meeting demonstrated a strong commitment to consolidating peace and security nationwide.

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Tong Akeen Ngor; Governor of Warrap, Kuol Muor Muor; governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial; Governor of Unity State, Joseph Nguen Monytuil; governor of Lakes, State, Riny Tueny Mabior; Abyei Chief Administrator Chol Deng Alaak; and Ruweng Chief Administrator, Stefano Wieu.

In addition, the meeting was attended by several presidential aides and ministers, including the minister of presidential affairs, Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro; Minister of information, Michael Makuei Lueth; deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Ramadan Abdallah Goch; presidential special envoy Benjamin Bol Mel; presidential advisor on national security affairs Tut Gatluak; the chief of defence forces of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces General Santino Deng Wol; Director General of the Internal Bureau of National Security Services, Akol Koor Kuc; and Inspector General of Police, Atem Marol Biar.