Emmanuel Adil, the governor of Central Equatoria State seen here at Juba International Airport boarding a plan for cross-border peace talks in Kajo-Keji - Credit: Office of the Governor - October 25, 2023

Central Equatoria State governor has travelled to Kajo-Keji County ahead of the slated joint cross-border peace and security engagement with Uganda’s Resident District Commissioners of West Nile.

The office of Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony says the state leadership will meet with Uganda’s Resident District Commissioners of Moyo, Yumbe, Koboko and Adjumani respectively.

The two-day engagement aims at deliberating on peace, security and trade affairs relating to their restive common border with emphasis on the recent territorial encroachment which triggered a standoff.

The press unit reported that the Governor was accompanied by some cabinet members, lawmakers, diplomats, and heads of Local Government Councils bordering Uganda.

Among them are Security Chiefs and the Secretary General of the Revitalized Transitional Government as well as the State and other Government officials.

Early this month, President Salva Kiir pledged to resolve the border disputes between South Sudan and Uganda after receiving reports on the issue, his office has said.

Fresh tension has engulfed Central Equatoria’s Kajo-Keji County at the frontier with Uganda as a local official said on September 17, that UPDF troops have moved deep into South Sudan and were seen setting up new bases.

Phanuel Dumo, the commissioner of Kajo-Keji, also disclosed that the foreign troops appeared to have permanently settled in three locations and may not be leaving any sooner.

The alleged incursion also followed directives from the Central Equatoria government to border communities urging them to leave the border dispute in the hands of the national government.

South Sudan People’s Defense Forces Spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang told Eye Radio early that the army has agreed to stand by and let the border tensions be addressed through diplomatic channels.

Meanwhile, President Kiir on Monday pledged a peaceful solution after CES governor, Emmanuel Adil Anthony briefed him on the latest situation.

“The President assured the Governor and people of central Equatoria of his administration’s commitment to peace, tranquillity and development stability in the state,” reads a statement published by the Office of the President.