The meeting, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, highlighted pressing concerns, including the voluntary return of citizens

By Emmanuel Mandella

South Sudan has expressed growing frustration over delays in the investigation into the killing of its citizens in Wad Madani, Sudan.

This came during high-level talks in Juba between South Sudan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Monday Semaya Kumba, and Sudanese Ambassador to South Sudan, Issam Mohamed Karrar, over the weekend.

The meeting, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, highlighted pressing concerns, including the voluntary return of citizens, consular access to South Sudanese nationals in Sudan, and updates on the highly anticipated final report of the Wad Madani investigation.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. Our citizens deserve answers, and their families deserve closure. We are urging Sudan to expedite this process and ensure accountability,” Minister Kumba said during the discussions.

The Wad Madani killings sent shockwaves through South Sudan, with citizens demanding justice for those killed under unclear circumstances. Despite initial promises of a swift investigation, progress on the report has been slow, fueling frustration in Juba.

The talks also highlighted the need for improved consular access, particularly to South Sudanese nationals stranded in Wad Madani and Port Sudan. Minister Kumba emphasized the importance of ensuring their safety and dignity amid the ongoing instability in Sudan.

Ambassador Karrar reassured South Sudan of Sudan’s commitment to transparency, cooperation, and justice. “We recognize the sensitivity of this issue and are working to ensure the investigation is thorough and credible,” he said.

In addition to the investigation, the two officials discussed fostering better communication between their foreign ministries to address broader concerns, such as the voluntary return process for displaced citizens. Both sides acknowledged the need for a safe, dignified return for individuals affected by conflict in the region.

The delayed report on Wad Madani remains a key test of Sudan’s ability to uphold its commitment to justice and accountability. For South Sudan, the incident underscores the urgency of protecting its citizens at home and abroad.

On Thursday, while speaking to the UN Security Council, South Sudan Foreign Affairs Minister, Ramadhan Abdallah Goc lamented about the ‘inhuman killing of innocent South Sudanese in Wad Madani and thanked ‘the African Union and the chairperson of East African Community and IGAD for their condemnation of what happened to our people.’

Goc also urged the Security Council to join South Sudan in its call for investigations.