South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda have agreed to repatriate people accused of committing crimes across the borders of the three countries.

Authorities from Eastern Equatoria state, Uganda and Kenya conducted a security consultative meeting over relations between the communities of greater Kapoeta, North-eastern Districts of Uganda and of North-western Kenya.

Representatives of the Toposa, Turkana, Dodos and Karamoja met over the weekend in Kaa’bong town in Uganda.

The Resident District Commissioner for Kaa’bong District, Simon Lolim, called for cooperation between the local authorities of the 3 countries.

He said cattle raiders from Uganda are using the areas of Kapoeta Counties as their hideouts.

Mr. Lolim said the Eastern Equatoria state government should repatriate any person suspected of committing crime in Uganda or in Kenya.

“We know that these boys of ours have taken animals from the Turkana, from the Jie, from the Acholi and from the Langi; they have hidden them there,” he said.

“We shall beat those who have wronged us and asked them to give us back the cows of our brothers from Kotido which you took there.”

The governor of Eastern Equatoria state, Louis Lobong, told the meeting that they may be compelled to use force to repatriate cattle rustlers from Kenya or Uganda found in the territory of the state.

He said they will convince cattle keepers from North-eastern Districts of Uganda to return home peacefully.

“We’ll chase them and bring them here [Kaa’bong] but your national government must be aware because if they resist, we will use force.”

The Uganda Chief of Defense Forces, General Katumba Wamala, instructed the force commanders from Uganda and South Sudan to provide the two countries with a plan to repatriate people causing cross border insecurity.

General Wamala said a joint force of the two countries will be deployed to repatriate any criminal across the borders.

The representatives agreed to inform their communities in Eastern Equatoria state, in North-western, Kenya and in North-eastern Districts in Uganda about the resolution passed.