An increasing number of deaths and injuries from landmines are being reported among pastoralists, farmers and traders along the border between South Sudan and Sudan.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from areas of Um Jalala and areas west of Wadakona, sources said that it is a result of the current insecurity and destabilisation, especially in the border area between Sudan’s White Nile state and South Sudan’s Upper Nile region.

The mines are being planted “amid the exchange of accusations between the two countries of harbouring armed rebel movements opposed to the Juba and Khartoum regimes".

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from White Nile state last week, listener Ali Rahama told Radio Tamazuj that this month alone, mine explosions have been registered in the areas of Um Jalala as well as in agricultural projects west of Wada Kona area of Upper Nile state.

Rahama expressed his fear of mines threatening the lives of innocent herders, traders and farmers and called upon both the Juba and Khartoum governments to intervene to end the mine crisis on the border of the two countries.

“The armed rebels on the border planted mines in these projects from Wadakona, capital of Manyo County, to the rest of the areas bordering it,” he said. “In another incident, a mine blast killed one person and more than 40 head of cattle, leaving several other people wounded.”

Rahama says that two days earlier, a Borgo farmer had died when his tractor hit a mine. “People are now avoiding using vehicles for fear of landmines,” he concluded.

Radio Tamazuj was unable to independently verify these reports.

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