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Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The Office of the Governor of Central Equatoria State published a statement on its official Facebook page regarding a joint security meeting between South Sudan and Uganda aimed at enhancing security coordination and addressing issues related to the shared border between the two countries.
The meeting commenced in the Ugandan city of Arua, with the participation of high-level delegations from both sides. The delegation of South Sudan was led by the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, to discuss recent security developments in the Kajo-Keji area, seek peaceful solutions to border disputes, and strengthen economic cooperation and peaceful coexistence among border communities.
The meeting was held as part of the fifth session of the Joint Bilateral Meeting between Uganda and South Sudan, hosted by Arua District in Uganda’s West Nile region, with the participation of government officials, security representatives, and diplomats from both countries.
Addressing the meeting, Governor Emmanuel Adil said the gathering represented an important step toward implementing previous understandings outlined in the Yumbe Communiqué issued on October 27, 2023. He noted that the main objective was to address challenges facing previous agreements and prevent misunderstandings that could negatively affect relations between the two countries.
Adil praised the deep historical ties between South Sudan and Uganda, emphasizing that the relationship is built on decades of mutual support and cooperation. He also commended Uganda’s role in hosting large numbers of South Sudanese refugees during periods of conflict, describing the gesture as a humanitarian position that will remain appreciated by the people of South Sudan.
The Governor of Central Equatoria stressed the need to prevent local border issues from escalating into national crises between the two countries. He called on security institutions and regular forces to focus on protecting border security, facilitating trade, and promoting peaceful coexistence rather than escalating disputes that can be resolved through dialogue and local mechanisms.
Adil urged traditional leaders, local authorities, and security agencies on both sides of the border to avoid practices that could negatively impact bilateral relations. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the directives of the two countries’ leaders, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in addressing outstanding issues.
He further called for transforming the shared border into an area of economic development and regional integration that would enhance trade, investment, and tourism while bringing mutual benefits to border communities.
For his part, the head of the Ugandan delegation, Ambassador Brigadier General Ronnie Baliah, called on leaders of both countries to prioritize peace, stability, and the protection of civilians, while working to reduce tensions through dialogue and joint coordination.
Baliah stressed the importance of holding those responsible for security incidents accountable and establishing mechanisms to prevent future violence. He also warned against the impact of rumors, misinformation, and inflammatory rhetoric that could increase tensions between communities.
The Ugandan official called on local and community leaders to take responsibility and work to prevent hate speech and incitement against citizens of both countries.
Meanwhile, the Resident Commissioner of Arua District, Gore Govin, confirmed that the area is safe and free from the Ebola virus, urging the participating delegations to engage in constructive and peaceful discussions on border-related issues.
The meeting is an extension of a series of previous bilateral engagements held between the two countries in Koboko, Yumbe, and Moyo between 2017 and 2019, in addition to other meetings held in Yei during Emmanuel Adil’s tenure as Governor of Yei River State.
The meeting was attended by a number of government officials, including commissioners from Yei, Lainya, Morobo, and Kajo-Keji counties, as well as security and revenue officials from both sides. Representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, along with officials from the South Sudan Embassy in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, also participated.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Governor of Central Equatoria State extended his condolences to the Government and people of Uganda and the citizens of Adjumani District following the death of retired General and Ugandan politician Moses Ali, expressing South Sudan’s solidarity with the Ugandan people.
