Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Army Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Santino Wol Deng, has secured the release of three army officers detained by the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in July 2024.
The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) Headquarters in Juba confirmed that the officers were released alongside Capt. Machol Majur Madol, a South Sudanese Traffic Police officer also arrested in July by Ugandan Revenue Authority officials while in possession of a fully loaded pistol.
The four officers were released after being detained for approximately three months following their arrest by Ugandan authorities at the border with South Sudan in Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria State.
Their release follows a successful meeting held last month between the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) of Uganda, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and his South Sudanese counterpart, Gen. Santino Deng Wol, in Kampala.
According to a statement issued by the army spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the two military leaders agreed that the UPDF should cease further encroachment into South Sudan territories.
This will allow the two governments’ high-level technical committee on border demarcation and delimitation to continue its normal duties, aimed at finding a durable and lasting peace for the communities residing along the borders of the two nations.
The meeting of the two army generals came at a time when the two countries were experiencing border skirmishes.
During the meeting, they agreed to restore regional peace and security.
The SSPDF further noted in its press release that the national army will continue providing additional security forces along the Juba-Nimule Highway to minimize incidents of highway attacks and enhance the safety of public road users following an ambush on a Babeto Bus travelling from Juba to Uganda.
As a measure to promote trade and commerce, the two army generals also agreed to maintain and observe harmonious working relationships along the common border.