Deng Dau Deng, South Sudan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Relations

South Sudan has demanded an explanation from Khartoum over the killing of over 15 South Sudanese refugees in Western Kordofan state.

The government said it is concerned about reports of tensions between the refugees and the Sudanese host community.

“We asked them to specifically give us [updates] on the situation in Al Nohod through our embassy in Khartoum and also through their embassy here, we talked to the Sudanese Ambassador in Juba,” said Deng Dau Deng, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Last week, at least fifteen South Sudanese were killed in two separate incidents by suspected armed Misseriya men in Western Kordofan.

The killings happened in Al-Fullah and Al-Nohod areas.

The attacks are believed to have been instigated by the killing of a Sudanese national along the border, and issues of access to land and services.

Nearly 4,000 refugees appealed to the government to ease relations with the host community.

South Sudan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs revealed that a team has been sent to Western Kordofan state to investigate the matter.

“Our embassy in Khartoum is following up this matter very closely with the Sudanese authority. The government of Sudan has sent a team to investigate and to talk to the local authority in Al Nohod, ” Deng Dau disclosed to Eye Radio on Wednesday.

Sudan hosts the largest South Sudanese refugee population of nearly 800,000 since December 2013.