Arop Jonchol
By Emmanuel Gatjiek
South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State and Uganda’s Lamwo District resolved on Wednesday to peacefully coexist and address challenges such as cattle raiding along the shared border. This agreement was reached during a meeting at the Eastern Equatoria State Secretariat in Torit between officials from both jurisdictions.
The Lamwo District delegation, led by the District Resident Commissioner, paid a courtesy visit to enhance bilateral ties amidst ongoing border issues, including territorial disputes, cattle theft, and strained relations. Eastern Equatoria State Information Minister Elia John Ahaji stated that the meeting tackled criminal activities and the displacement of communities along the border.
Key resolutions included addressing insecurity caused by cattle raiding, displacement from agricultural land, and poor coordination between officials from Ikotos County and Lamwo District. Minister Ahaji emphasized the need to view borders as bridges for interaction rather than barriers, allowing South Sudanese and Ugandans to freely farm across the border. He highlighted that ancestral land is shared by tribes in both countries, making territorial claims inappropriate.
The meeting also agreed that officials from Ikotos County and Lamwo District should apprehend perpetrators of cattle rustling instead of solely recovering stolen cattle. Collaborative efforts were also pledged to curb illegal logging and protect forests along the border.
Lamwo Resident District Commissioner Komakech Walter noted that the visit aimed to enhance infrastructure development and security cooperation between the two countries. He described the discussions as productive, focusing on fostering peaceful coexistence and trade.
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong underscored the importance of local government collaboration to address minor issues. He called for dialogue among communities and joint cultivation of land to foster unity. Governor Lobong also urged officials from both regions to maintain open communication and strong relationships without relying solely on central governments in Juba or Kampala.
Additionally, Governor Lobong expressed concern over the smuggling of harmful alcoholic beverages, reportedly brought into South Sudan from Uganda. He noted that smugglers, often armed, use donkeys to transport alcohol across the border and raised questions about how these groups access weapons. Security forces have been deployed to curb this illicit trade.
