Past scenes where a village in KajoKeji was burnt amid simmering border tension. | Office of the Governor/Facebook.

Civilians are now moving freely between Kajo-Keji and Uganda’s West Nile region after President Museveni’s army, the UPDF slightly withdrew from Bori Boma where it had deeply encroached months ago.

“The Uganda People Defense Forces [UPDF that came to Loyili last time returned to Gobur their initial place of settlement two weeks ago, according to the Commissioner of Kajo-Keji County Commissioner.

This came a month after the Central Equatoria government held a cross-border dialogue with their counterparts in the neighboring West Nile Districts of Yumbe and Moyo.

In September, a local official said the UPDF troops moved deep into South Sudan and were seen setting up new bases.

The official also disclosed that the foreign troops appeared permanently settled in three locations and showed no sign of leaving the Bori area.

In October, President Salva Kiir pledged a peaceful solution after CES governor, Emmanuel Adil Anthony briefed him on the situation in Kajo-Keji County.

Speaking to Eye Radio yesterday, Commissioner Phanuel Dumo said the Ugandan troops have withdrawn from the area.

He also said the security situation of the area is currently stable and that, civilians who were displaced by the conflict have started returning home in big numbers.

“Civilians who were displaced earlier on due to the conflict are now moving in and out of Kajo-Keji County safely using the same road that witnessed some cases of insecurity. Some of the civilians are crossing up to the refugee settlement camps in Uganda,” he said.