JUBA – Defense Minister Chol Thon Balok told President Salva Kiir on Thursday the army “will not waver” in their constitutional duty to defend the country’s territorial integrity, a statement said, amid reports of Ugandan encroachment in Kajo-Keji County.
The President received a comprehensive report from Balok on the general security situation across the country, with an emphasis on developments along the borders, his office said.
“Gen. Balok reported to the President that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) would not waver in their constitutional duty to defend the country’s territorial integrity, its people, and their property,” it noted.
The defense minister claimed that the overall security conditions in the country have remained stable despite some insecurities. According to him, army’s preparedness and ongoing commitment to protecting the country.
‘Ugandan encroachment’
On August 17, Kajo-Keji Commissioner Jackson Wani said the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) had deployed troops to five locations on the South Sudan side of the border, triggering panic among local populations, the commissioner said.
The reports of new UPDF deployment came weeks after South Sudan and Uganda agreed to form a committee to investigate clashes between their two armies that killed several soldiers mainly from South Sudan on July 28.
“The UPDF keeps on deploying to more new areas, and as I speak now, they have deployed to five new areas other tan Nyainga Muda,” Kajo-Keji commissioner Jackson Mule said.
“This is a threat and it causes displacement. Whenever a force is deployed, residents of the area will start to flee. The newly deployed areas include Gorbeleng, Lowiling, Merewa, Goloko and other areas.”
Investigation committee
On August 9, the South Sudan and Uganda armies agreed to form a joint investigative committee to probe the cause of July 28 clashes, where five South Sudan security officers were killed by Ugandan soldiers who attacked their post at Bori Boma, Kangapo Payam.
The step was announced following a meeting between Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces of Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) with his South Sudan counterpart Gen. Dau Aturjong in Juba on Saturday.
In a press statement, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said both leaders reiterated their “unwavering commitments to maintaining our long historical bilateral ties” on traditional areas of mutual trust and interests.
“The duo agreed on immediate formation of a 14-man joint investigation Committee with equal representation from both armies,” Lul said.
He added that the Committee will be temporarily based in Gulu, Uganda and work will commence soon to determine on the exact causes of the clashes in Kajo Keji County, Central Equatoria State.
The Committee is talked with the responsibility of coming up with recommendations aimed at aiding the two principals to make informed decisions on the implementation of best solutions to end recurrent border disputes.
At the request of Chief of Defense Forces of UPDF, South Sudan army chief is poised to make a reciprocal visit to Kampala, Uganda.
But it is unclear if the committee has started its work.
On August 20, the army chiefs of SSPDF and the UPDF reaffirmed their commitment to working together in addressing recent security incidents along the shared border, according to the Ugandan military.
