SSPDF Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Santino Deng Wol - Credit | Office of the President | July 26, 2022

The Chief of South Sudan’s People’s Defense Force Gen Santino Deng Wol has requested the release of three detained SSPDF soldiers from Uganda, according to the army spokesperson.

On 26th June, three SSPDF soldiers at the Owiny-ki-bul military training centre were detained in what local officials termed as arbitrary arrest and detention.

They were reportedly invited to a meeting – when they were held by the Ugandan People’s Defense Force (UPDF).

In an interview with Eye Radio, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF spokesperson, stated that the details surrounding the detention of SSPDF servicemen are still unclear.

He confirmed that the Chief of Defense Forces, 1st Lieutenant General Santino Deng Wol, has established a committee to work with Ugandan counterparts to address the rising tensions along the border between the two countries.

Additionally, Gen. Santino has issued a letter requesting the release of the detained servicemen.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are not clear but we will have a clearer picture once the detained servicemen are released because the chief of defence force for SSPDF wrote a letter to his counterpart requesting their release,” Gen Lul said.

“The chief of defence force also took another step of forming a committee that would go to Uganda to engage UPDF, and would have a once again a better picture of the situation along the common border once they come back with their findings and recommendation,” he said.

The detention of South Sudan soldiers occurred a week after residents in Magwi County accused the UPDF of encroaching on the area, harassing farmers, and displacing them from their farms.

Joseph Locha, the former head chief of Pajok Payam said on July 10, that the UPDF established a base in the area on June 30, 2024.

When contacted by Eye Radio, Magwi County Commissioner Mr Pole-pole Benjamin Olum confirmed “a huge presence” of UPDF along major boundaries. He added that the Ugandan forces conduct deployment and patrols along the South Sudan territory.

Over the past years, incidents of encroachment intervention, and harassment along border areas of Pogee and Owinykibul rampant leading to reference to the national government.