JUBA – Members of South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Wednesday expressed disgust at continued killings and incursions by the Ugandan army into the country.
About 9 people were killed in clashes between longstanding allies South Sudan and Uganda near their shared border, where competing claims over the poorly defined boundary often flare into small-scale fighting.
Elements from the two armies exchanged fire on Monday in South Sudan’s Kajo Keji county, killing more than 9 South Sudanese (SSPDF) soldiers, according to South Sudanese officials.
Lawmakers from Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria State at the National Legislative Assembly on Tuesday condemned the attacks by the Ugandan People’s Defense Forces in the Nyangia Muda area in Bori Boma of Kangapo II Payam.
Hon. Milla Amos Peter, the Chairman of the Kajo-Keji Central Equatoria State Parliamentary Caucus at the National Legislative Assembly, stressed the need to protect the territorial integrity of South Sudan.
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible this provocative attack by the UPDF in Kajo-Keji County that has resulted in loss of lives and injuries on both sides,” Amos said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The violence displaced thousands of civilians, mostly women, children, and elderly people, from their homes, with many now seeking shelter in schools, health facilities, and open spaces.
The MPS called for immediate withdrawal of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces from the border area of Kajo-Keji County.
“We call for an immediate de-escalation of the tension and violence to allow room for constructive dialogue for peaceful co-existence between the two communities of Yumbe district of Uganda and Kajo-Keji County in South Sudan.”
Amos urged the border community committees from both countries to engage in relentless efforts for peaceful dialogues and mutual respect.
“What we are trying to push on the two governments is to be able to take this up, because the most disappointing people are the locals. It is not a good thing,” he said.
He called on the national government to intervene on the border issues to find an amicable solution.
“I’m calling it a weakness of the government that has not responded to this issue for quite long now. You know, for close to five years we have been in issues of this nature.”
