No fighting, but border security remains fragile, Kajokeji commissioner warns
Author: Nyagyeth Onyoti | Published: 1 hour ago
Past scenes where a village in KajoKeji was burnt amid simmering border tension. | Office of the Governor/Facebook.
The Commissioner of Kajokeji County says the situation along the South Sudan-Uganda border remains concerning despite recent diplomatic efforts to resolve the recent cross-border dispute.
The concern follows a recent attack by the Ugandan army on parts of Liwolo Payam, targeting an SSPDF base near the border and leading to the displacement of civilians.
Following the incident, South Sudan and Uganda signed a cooperation agreement on joint border security management after days of talks in the Ugandan city of Arua.
Commissioner Wani Jackson Mule said there has been no renewed fighting between the South Sudan and Ugandan militaries, but warned that both forces remain in their positions along the border, raising fears that violence could resume at any time.
Wani also said he had observed fresh troop reinforcements on the Ugandan side that were brought yesterday.
It remains unclear whether the additional forces were deployed to replace existing troops or reinforce those already stationed near the disputed area.
“Since we are meeting, there has been no escalation of fighting. But the forces have not withdrawn from their positions. They remain there, and that means fighting can break out at any time. I have also seen reinforcement from the Uganda side, but we don’t know why the new forces have been brought,” he said, speaking to Eye Radio on Friday morning.
The latest update comes a week after South Sudan and Uganda held bilateral talks in Arua aimed at easing tensions following the alleged UPDF attack in Liwolo Payam that displaced more than 10,000 civilians.
Authorities from both countries have pledged to strengthen border cooperation and prevent further clashes, although security concerns remain as forces continue to occupy their positions along the undemarcated border.