A border skirmish between South Sudan and Uganda over the weekend resulted in four deaths, after Uganda’s People Defence Forces (UPDF) supposedly attacked an army post that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) claims falls within its territory. The Ugandan military, however, disputes these claims, and says that it opened fire after around 36 South Sudanese personnel crossed the Ngomoromo border into Uganda and erected an “illegal roadblock”.
This is the latest incident of violence between the two countries’ border forces. In June, the UPDF fatally shot four South Sudanese soldiers and a police officer. Likewise, in November 2018, the Ugandan army claimed that roughly 30 South Sudanese soldiers had crossed into the Lamwo district and warned them to retreat immediately after they allegedly placed a barrier and the South Sudanese flag in Ugandan territory.
The claims of the Ugandan army have been contested by South Sudanese Major General Lul Ruai Koang, who said that it was the UPDF who had conducted a “major incursion” into South Sudanese territory. He remarked, “That unit launched a surprise attack on our defensive border post at Pogee, in Magwi County, in Eastern Equatoria state. Our forces were engaged in a gun battle that got four killed – two from our side and two from the side of the UPDF.”
The border disputes are largely a product of an inconsistent understanding of the boundaries along the shared border of the two countries. In 2017, they agreed to redraw their border via a joint committee. However, nothing has been finalized and their efforts have done little to prevent these random upticks in violence.
Following the latest incident, which led to two deaths on either side, UPDF army deputy spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Deo Akiiki Asiimwe confirmed that diplomats on both sides are working to resolve tensions. Moreover, he said that tensions between the two countries are widened by armed groups in South Sudan and that this insurgency can only be combated through intelligence-sharing and joint patrols. Lastly, he suggested that the two countries return to colonial-era border demarcations to avoid future confrontations.
That being said, he did reject Koang’s account of events, saying, “The statement is completely false and a deliberate misrepresentation of what actually happened. What happened is regrettable and can be avoided through mutual condemnation and decisive action against the remnant errant elements who on their own frolic, made this incursion into Ugandan territory ostensibly for the unofficial and individual criminal ends of extorting and robbing the Ugandan public.”
Promisingly, South Sudanese Major General Koang offered hope for dispute resolution when he said that the two countries’ armed forces continue to enjoy “cordial relations”. Nevertheless, he warned that this could be undermined by the “chameleonic behaviors” of the Ugandan army. In truth, Uganda was a major ally to South Sudan during the latter’s five-year civil war with Sudan, and has allegedly provided arms to the country’s military despite arms embargoes. It is hoped that these ties will prevent any further escalation of violence.
Border Skirmish Between Ugandan and South Sudanese Soldiers Results in Four Deaths
This is the latest incident of violence between the two countries’ border forces and stems from contrary understandings of their shared border.
November 3, 2020
SOURCE: SAMIR BOL / AFP