Step up efforts to resolve border row

A reconciliation meeting to resolve the long-running border dispute between Uganda and South Sudan in the West Nile district of Moyo last week ended without a definite solution. The meeting was aimed at resolving the Wano/Abaya border conflict that has led to several clashes between the two neighbouring communities – the of Kuku of Kajo-Keji County in South Sudan and Madi of Moyo.
It is disappointing that the two countries have to date failed to resolve a conflict that has gradually affected the otherwise good relationship between the two border communities. This conflict climaxed in 2014 when Ugandan officials, who were carrying out a national duty of registering citizens for national IDs in the border area, were arrested by South Sudan security personnel.

Following the arrest, clashes broke out in Moyo targeting South Sudanese nationals, some of who have lived in Moyo for several years and have made Uganda their home. In the ensuing clashes, houses belonging to South Sudanese were burnt; lives and property lost, and many South Sudanese traders in Moyo Town went back to their country over security concerns. This incident created anger and mistrust between the border communities and any slight provocation could lead to more violent clashes if the conflict is not resolved.

While some efforts have been made to restore calm, these have been temporary measures such as the joint deployment of border patrols in Moyo to ease tension after eight people were killed in reprisal attacks following the arrest of Moyo census officials by South Sudan security. A comprehensive plan for a durable resolution of this conflict is long overdue given the numerous cases where Ugandans have faced arrests and attacks in the hands of armed people from South Sudan.
Some of the border conflict cases were blatant invasions of foreign territory. In 2012, for instance, Parliament asked government to prevent armed South Sudanese from controlling and claiming parts of Moyo District and beef up security in the area. This followed the arrest and detention of six Ugandan MPs who had gone on a fact-finding mission following clashes along the Uganda-Sudan border.

In 2010, President Museveni and his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir visited the disputed border area, called for dialogue and agreed on a border verification survey as a first step to resolving the dispute. So far, nothing concrete has been achieved.
The two border communities have lived in peace for long, inter-married and carried out cross-border trade. The recent dispute over a small piece of land should not derail this age-old coexistence. The two governments must step up efforts to resolve this conflict once and for all.