In a move to address ongoing border tensions, Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony of South Sudan’s Central Equatorial State visited Yumbe District, located in the West Nile region of Uganda. The purpose of his visit is to engage in discussions with leaders from the four West Nile districts that share borders with South Sudan, namely Yumbe, Koboko, Moyo, and Adjumani.
The high-profile meeting is set to take place on Friday, October 27, at the Yumbe district headquarters. Governor Adil was accompanied by officials from Central Equatorial State, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wayi Godwil, the Minister of Roads and Bridges, Mawa A Moses, lawmakers, and diplomats. The delegation also included commissioners from the counties bordering Uganda and security chiefs.
This visit marks Governor Adil’s second trip to the West Nile region, specifically Yumbe, following his initial visit in October 2022. During his previous visit, Governor Adil and the then Yumbe Resident District Commissioner, Hudu Hussein, signed a communique on behalf of their respective countries. This communique emphasized the importance of fostering peace and unity along the South Sudan-Uganda borders, promoting free movement of citizens across borders, and ending tribal conflicts, particularly among border communities.
Expectations for the upcoming meeting are high. Rashid Godson Kawawa, the LC3 chairperson for Lori sub-county, hopes that Governor Adil’s visit will promote unity among Ugandans and South Sudanese living along the borders. He also expects the governor to address the issue of Ugandans who were displaced from their lands near the border by South Sudan authorities, providing a resolution for their predicament.
Rashid Waiga, a resident of Kochi sub-county, anticipates that the governor’s visit will help define the true borders of Uganda and South Sudan, ultimately resolving tensions along the borders. He emphasizes the need to address the property losses suffered due to attacks by South Sudan authorities.
Moses Abajo, the LC3 chairperson for Keriwa sub-county, commends the governor for prioritizing peace. He suggests that the meeting should establish clear boundaries for the armies of both countries to conduct their patrols, as incidents of South Sudan’s army crossing into Uganda have caused fear among the local population.
