JUBA – The Transitional National Legislative Assembly indefinitely adjourned a summon session for several security and high-power ministers to provide detailed reports on South Sudan’s territory and boundaries with neighboring countries.
Officials expected to appear were Minister in the Office of the President, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Minister of National Security, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development.
Other officials expected to appear in the house were the Chairperson of Sudan and South Sudan Boundary Commission and the Chairperson of Joint Technical Committee of South Sudan.
However, the parliament’s clerk, Makuc Makuch Ngong announced on the signboard that the session is adjourned until further notice due to lack of sufficient reports, among other reasons.
Parliament resolved on Monday, September 1, to summon the ministers of defense, interior, national security and to explain the cause of raging insecurity in parts of the country.
This followed a motion tabled by Paul Yohane Bonju, on what he calls alarming insecurity plaguing the country since it descended into civil war in 2013.
The motion also raises several concerns including lack of political dialogue that threaten peace efforts and alleged Ugandan encroachment into South Sudan territory at the direction of Kajo-Keji County.
“As leaders of today, history will judge us harshly if we do not stop ignoring the plight of our citizens who brought us to this house, some of whom are killed in cold blood,” Bonju said, reading out the motion to lawmakers.
“Some are dying of hunger, some are dying in insufficient irregular salary packages, diseases and other natural disasters in a country endowed with a huge resources. The suffering of our citizens who are paying a heavy price should come to a speedy end.”
‘Border encroachment’
Kajo-Keji Commissioner Wani told media on August 17 that the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) had deployed troops to five locations inside South Sudan, triggering panic among local populations.
The reported 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.
“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.”
Joint 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.
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 would 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.
It recently visited border areas in Uganda’s Yumbe and Moyo as well as South Sudan’s Kajo-Keji County to hear from local leaders. But it is not clear if there was any tangible outcome that will resolve the years of skirmishes along the border.
