Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony leads the South Sudan delegation during bilateral cross-border peace and security talks with Ugandan officials in Arua City. Photo: Ebenezer Radio.

South Sudan and Uganda are expected to sign an agreement on border cooperation as bilateral talks resume in Arua this morning for a second day to address recent border tensions in Kajokeji County.

The talks began on Thursday after Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony and his delegation travelled to the Ugandan city to meet Ugandan authorities.

The discussions aim to address recurring cross-border clashes, including the recent alleged attack by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Liwolo Payam of Kajokeji County.

The fighting displaced more than 10,000 civilians, who are now sheltering in schools and open grounds and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

According to Ebenezer Radio, a local station based in Kajokeji County, the South Sudanese and Ugandan delegations resumed talks this morning to review a draft report, Joint Statement, and Joint Communiqué ahead of their expected adoption and signing later this evening.

The two sides are also expected to establish Joint Working Committees to develop proactive and sustainable solutions to recurring peace and security challenges affecting communities along the shared border.

The meeting is expected to produce resolutions aimed at strengthening peace, security, and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

South Sudan shares a 435-kilometre border with Uganda, much of which remains undemarcated. The lack of a clearly marked border has contributed to repeated clashes between the forces of the two countries.

In July last year, five servicemen from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and other organised forces were killed by the Ugandan army in Kajokeji following an attack on an SSPDF detachment near the border.

The commanders of the two armies later agreed to work together to address security incidents along the shared border.