South Sudan's Foreign Affairs Ministry has denied accusations by Sudanese officials claiming that its citizens make up over half of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been in active conflict with Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023.
This comes as the government also called for a speedy investigation into the alleged killing of South Sudanese citizens in Al Jazeera State, Sudan, last month.
The Foreign Ministry statement was in response to the allegation made by the assistant commander-in-chief of the Sudan Armed Forces Yasir al Atta that South Sudanese nationals make up 65 percent of the RSF.
The South Sudanese Foreign Ministry denied the claims, saying that the country is neutral in Sudan's conflict. The ministry admitted, however, that some rebel groups are fighting alongside different warring parties but added that the government has no control over the groups.
The ministry stressed that the violence has affected South Sudan and that it is in its best interest for the conflict to end.
"President Salva Kiir Mayardit ordered the opening of South Sudan's borders to Sudanese civilians fleeing the war. Many of these individuals have since established businesses in South Sudan or engaged in professional roles such as university lecturers and medical professionals. Others have reported to refugee camps or crossed to neighboring countries," said Apuk Ayuel Mayen, spokesperson of South Sudanese Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The UN says more than one million people have crossed into South Sudan, straining resources in the country. South Sudan is dependent on its neighbor to get oil to international markets through pipelines that go to Port Sudan.
South Sudan denies any links to Rapid Support Forces
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
