SSPDF Spokesperson Maj. General Lul Ruai Koang speaks on Eye Radio's Dawn Show. June 9, 2023. | Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio

South Sudan People’s Defense Forces Spokesperson said the army has agreed to stand by for now and let the border tensions in Kajo-Keji County, in the far south of Central Equatoria State be addressed through diplomatic channels.

On Sunday, Kajo-keji Commissioner Phanuel Dumo said the Uganda People’s Défense Forces (UPDF) have moved deep into South Sudan and were seen setting up tents in their new bases amid the ongoing border dispute.

The encroachment reports came a day after Central Equatoria government called on communities in Kajo-Keji to leave the issue to the national government.

When contacted, Army Spokesperson Maj Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said the army leadership has agreed to hand over the matter to the Joint Border Committee that was formed by the two countries.

“I got in touch with the leadership on the same issue and we are leaving it to be handled by the Joint Border Committee that was set up by the two countries, they are the ones that will give us the best solution on how to overcome some of these border issues,” Lul told Eye Radio.

Describing it as an Instrument of Power, Gen. Lul said they have decided to use diplomacy to reach a consensus with the UPDF and any other neighboring countries over border-related issues.

“We are giving diplomacy a chance; we are giving it priority. You know there are instruments of national power. One of the instruments of national powers is diplomacy.”

“So, it is still within the instrument of power that we have, that we have decided to deploy diplomacy to be used as a way of resolving any order issue, whether between us with UPDF and the neighboring country.”

In the last few years, there had been similar accusations of illegal border crossings and settlements between Kajo-Keji and Moyo and Yumbe Districts in search of resources.