Agreement between South Sudan and Uganda to enhance security and peace on the border
Ahmed Salem
The bilateral meeting for joint coordination on cross-border peace and security between the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Uganda, held in the Ugandan city of Arua, entered its second day, amid progress in discussing the draft joint report and final statement, in preparation for their adoption and signing at the conclusion of the meetings.
Formulating mechanisms for implementing the agreement
The sessions of the second day focused on reviewing the final recommendations and formulating joint implementation mechanisms to address security challenges and border issues, thereby enhancing coordination between the relevant institutions in both countries and reducing cross-border conflicts and threats.
Both delegations affirmed their commitment to establishing joint working committees to follow up on border issues on a regular basis, and to develop proactive and sustainable solutions to recurring problems, including enhancing information exchange, supporting joint responses to security challenges, and strengthening cooperation between local administrations and border communities.
Both sides also stressed the importance of adopting a long-term cooperative approach that contributes to consolidating security and stability, and creating a more conducive environment for development, trade, and the movement of citizens across borders, reflecting the strength of bilateral relations between Juba and Kampala.
The meetings are expected to conclude with the adoption of a joint report and a final statement that include a set of recommendations and practical measures aimed at strengthening cooperation in the areas of peace, security and border management, in support of the two countries’ efforts to confront common challenges and promote regional stability.
Central Equatoria is investigating Ugandan incursions into Kajo-Keji.
Earlier, the governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, headed a high-level government delegation to Kajo-Keji County to hold talks with officials from Uganda’s West Nile region, as part of joint efforts to contain recent tensions and enhance security along the border strip between the two countries.
The visit aims to explore ways to enhance security coordination, including activating joint patrols and exchanging information, as well as discussing border issues and working to protect civilians and prevent the recurrence of tension incidents.
This move comes in the wake of clashes in the border region between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), which local authorities said resulted in the displacement of about 20,000 people from Kajo-Keji County.
Local officials in South Sudan accuse Ugandan forces of continuing to encroach on border territory, despite the bilateral relations between Juba and Kampala. So far, neither the South Sudanese government nor the military leadership has issued an official statement regarding the accusations or the recent developments on the border.
The Council of Ministers of Central Equatoria State in South Sudan discussed security developments on the border with Uganda, affirming the state government’s commitment to working jointly with the national government to address the repeated incursions of the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) into the territory of Kajo-Keji County, and to work to contain tensions and restore stability to the border areas.
This came during the council’s regular meeting, chaired by the state governor, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, where ministers reviewed the security developments in Kajo Keji following the recent clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Ugandan forces, which raised concerns about escalating tensions on the shared border between the two countries.
