By Philip Buda Ladu
A lawmaker from Eastern Equatoria State raised an urgent motion regarding border encroachment during a Council of States session on Wednesday, calling for urgent government intervention.
The motion sparked a strong condemnation from members of the council, who expressed deep concern over the ongoing violations of international boundaries.
In response to the situation, the council summoned executive officials from the bordering state to address the issue directly.
In a statement to the media after the meeting, the chairperson of the information committee at the Council of States, Josephine Nakuru, said the council passed the motion on violations of international boundaries in different areas in Eastern Equatoria State.
In a statement to the media after the meeting, the chairperson of the information committee at the Council of States, Josephine Nakuru, said the council passed the motion on violations of international boundaries in different areas in Eastern Equatoria State.
“The motion was about the encroachment of the Republic of South Sudan’s territories by neighbouring countries, including Uganda and Kenya,” Nakuru told the state-run media SSBC.
After thorough deliberations of the report by the honourable members, the Upper House of the legislature passed some resolutions.
“In the discussions and debating of the motion, the honourable August House came up with a number of recommendations and adopted as well the report to be directed to the committee of defense and the committee of foreign affairs for scrutiny within 14 days,” Nakuru added.
Hon. Okello Odongto, a member of the Council of States representing Eastern Equatoria State, emphasized that the situation in his state requires an urgent response from the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
He further urged the national and state governments to immediately halt the continuous intrusion into the country’s eastern border by Kenyan and Ugandan forces.
According to MP Okello, the Ugandan army, UPDF, has now claimed South Sudan’s land which they paved a path in for security purposes during the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) era.
“A security road that was created by Ugandan forces by then, which was a longtime agreement during the LRA time, and this has now become a land that is being grabbed,” he echoed.
Okello also informed the Council of States during Wednesday’s session that the Ugandan forces have reportedly claimed another portion of land deep inside Eastern Equatoria State territory.
“Again there is fresh information that is coming from the border in Pogee, (part of Magwi County), that there is a contingent of UPDF that has moved deep into South Sudan where they have planted a sugarcane plantation and today (Wednesday) they have beaten up our people and they are forcing our people to leave that place,” the area MP reported.
Recently, media reports quoted Magwi County Commissioner Pole Pole Benjamin Olum saying Ugandan citizens had occupied several parts of South Sudan, with the UPDF forces providing security and protection even without coordinating with the County authorities.
Mr. Olum stated that the local authorities in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State have consistently reported this issue of border intrusion to the State and the National authorities for them to take the appropriate action.
Furthermore, local authorities in Pogee, Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria State reportedly raised alarm over the increased occupation of their land and harassment by Ugandans.
They said the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) has continued to displace host communities along the border and opening up settlements for their citizens in Katoko, Gotlela, Arambeel, Adodi and Paragadwanya.
A Pogee administrator Jemila Augustine Aya told Radio Tamazuj that “the Ugandan invaders were increasing by the day.”
The local authorities added that UPDF soldiers had established more than eight barracks in the neighbouring territory and deployed patrol forces.
Earlier this month, several houses were reportedly destroyed or burnt to ashes by Ugandan forces in Padwanya village, the locals claimed.