Map|Warrap and Abyei border - courtesy

Civil society leaders in the Abyei Administrative Area have dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the Sudan-South Sudan border has been closed, describing the information as false and misleading.

The Acting Chairperson of Civil Society Organizations in Abyei, Koul Arop Mading, said no decision had been made to close the border and clarified that such matters are the responsibility of the governments of Sudan and South Sudan.

“News that is circulating on social media right now, that the people of Abyei came yesterday to the administration, they connected it with the statement that was brought out by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan. There is no connection between these two things,” Arop said.

He said the peaceful demonstration held on Tuesday was unrelated to claims of a border closure, explaining that the protest was instead organized to reject claims by an individual who had declared himself a representative of the Abyei community in Nyala, Sudan.

Arop said demonstrators also raised concerns over the recent visit of individuals who travelled to Nyala about two weeks ago and reportedly introduced themselves as leaders.

He further dismissed claims linking the demonstration to Sudan’s reported position on the inclusion of the Abyei Administrative Area in South Sudan’s electoral constituency for the 2026 general elections.

“These issues are separate and should not be mixed together,” Arop said.

He urged the public, especially social media users, to verify information before sharing it, warning that false reports could fuel misinformation and create unnecessary anxiety among communities.