Authorities in Aweil West County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have recently implemented stringent security measures aimed at addressing the issue of gun smuggling to Sudanese refugees in the Wedwil Refugees Camp.
These measures took effect earlier last week on Tuesday. As part of the new protocols, all trucks transporting refugees and returnees will undergo thorough verification by security personnel, who have been assigned the task of addressing any potential security risks.
The conflict in Khartoum, Sudan, which broke out on April 15th, resulted in clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict was preceded by months of tension over the integration of the paramilitary group into the national army.
Aweil West County has been hosting thousands of Sudanese refugees alongside South Sudanese returnees.
Marko Majok Piol, the Commissioner of Aweil West County, told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that he had issued an order stipulating that all trucks carrying Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees must undergo verification by security operatives before being permitted entry into the campsite.
The commissioner expressed concern that the influx of Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees may have contributed to insecurity in the area.
He highlighted that transporters often operate during nighttime hours, arriving at the refugee center without providing sufficient information to the authorities regarding the contents of their vehicles.
Majok also stressed the importance of conducting thorough checks on individuals coming from conflict zones and confiscating any firearms, knives, or other potentially harmful materials before they enter the refugee camp.
“To ensure the security of my area, I convened a security meeting on Tuesday, where it was decided that every vehicle, including those coming from Juba, must undergo thorough inspections. Many refugees travel from Sudan, passing through Raja and the surrounding areas of Chad, to reach the Wedwil Refugees Camp,” stated Majok.
Ali Tik, a resident of the Wedwil area where the camp is located, acknowledged the right of county authorities to implement security plans, provided they do not infringe upon the rights of others.
“In my opinion, the county commissioner has the right to screen transporters entering and leaving the area using local security organs, as long as it does not violate the rights of others,” Tik remarked.
Maria Abuk Dut, a civil society activist in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, expressed her belief that while the Sudanese people are akin to the South Sudanese, it is crucial to prevent Sudanese refugees from bringing weapons into the country. “As a member of the civil society in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, I consider those arriving from Sudan as our people. However, if they possess anything deemed illegal, it is imperative that we do not allow them to enter with weapons,” Dut asserted.