Nov 2, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Following a controversial incursion at the border, where the two countries claim to have been invaded by the other, the Ugandan authories are resorting to call on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the two countries to sit down to work out a border demarcation formula.
A fighting near the South Sudan-Ugandan border on October 27th has left many citizens in both countries confused on “who attacked who” as the military spokesmen of the two countries claim that their country has been invaded by the other and that their forces responded in territorial defense.
Responding directly to South Sudan’s military spokesman, the Ugandan Deputy military spokesman, Lt. Col. DEO Akiiki, explained their side of story, which they believe to be more genuine than what was presented by the South Sudanese military spokesman.
According to Lt. Col. Akiiki, it is the South Sudanese army which crossed over and tried to set up illegal roadblocks in the Ugandan territory as opposed to what Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang of SSPDF forces said earlier.
“That on 27th Oct 2020 at around 1300 hrs SSPDF troops of about a platoon (36) size established an illegal road block and an ambush at Ted-Nagwe (Atwila) in Pangira sub-county, Lamwo district several kilometers inside Ugandan territory for unknown reasons” Akiiki said.
“On receiving this information from the locals, the UPDF deployment in the area of Ngamaroma moved to Ted-Nagwe on a fact-finding mission” he explained.
“While approaching the spot where the illegal roadblock was, one SSPDF soldier was spotted and the UPDF commander approached him for an explanation, while interacting with him the rest came from the ambush and instantly opened fire towards the UPDF troops” Akiiki further said
Calls for Border Demarcations
The Ugandans are threatening that the incursion from South Sudan is presenting a threat not just to the border communities but also to the relations between the two countries.
“The continued incursion onto Ugandans territory by the South Sudan armed elements presents a challenge not only to the border community but also to the brotherly relations between the two countries” Lt. Col. Akiiki said.
Lt. Col. Akiiki, however, assured that the ministries of foreign affairs and defenses of the two sisterly countries are working closely, hand in hand, to address the matter.
According to Akiiki the politicians are considering demarcation of the border as a possible solution to such incidents.
“Diplomatic engagements by relevant stake holders are ongoing to complete the re-demacarcation and reaffirmations of the common border to forestall future conflicts” Akiiki stated.
With South Sudan in conflict, the young nation has also been engaged in border issues that involve not only Uganda but also Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan.
