By Metedio Iceta.
MOYO- The communique on the emergency cross border security meeting between central Equatorial State of South Sudan and districts of Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko held on 19th May, 2023 at Nasera Annex Hotel in Moyo Town, Moyo district.
The leaders from both parts have affirmed their position to restore peace and harmony among the two sisterly countries. According to the declaration paper this newspaper has seen partly reads
“We, the delegates of the cross-border security meeting on border issues in the Republic of Uganda represented by Mr. Gore Goffin the Resident District Commissioner Moyo District and the Republic of South Sudan represented by Hon. Daya Angelo Lodu Advisor for Peace & security C.E.S Juba on 19th May, 2023 having deliberated and reviewed progress made on the implementation of the previous resolutions of the cross-border peace and security meetings and their implementation modalities and the deliberations of 07th May, 2023 incident at the border between Moyo district and Kajo-Keji County do hereby affirm their position as:
- Commend the two leaders of the Republic of Uganda H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Republic of South Sudan H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit for their support towards the engagement for a peaceful coexistence of the neighboring communities in the two borders of Uganda and South Sudan.
- Appreciate the efforts of the Resident District Commissioners of Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko and the Authorities of the Government of Central Equatorial State bordering Counties of Kajo-keji, Lainya, Morobo and Yei River Counties for their steadfast role in restoring border security between the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Uganda.
- Condemn the incident of 07th May 2023 that led to the destruction of property, displacement and loss of life.
- Reiterate their respect for the Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity and Unity of border communities of both the Republic of Uganda and South Sudan.
5.Having been inspired by the conviction that the achievements of peace and security at the borders of Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko districts of the Republic of Uganda and Central Equatorial State of the Republic of South Sudan shall promote peaceful coexistence, security and encourage trade between border communities, peaceful coexistence and solidarity.
- Cognizant on the need to boost the on-going efforts to integrate the East African Region, strengthen its unity and promote peace, security and stability through the structural prevention of conflicts.
- Guided by the principle of respect of existing borders on achievement of National Independence, as enshrined in the charter of African Union (AU), Resolution AHG/Res 16 (1) on border disputes between African States adopted by the African Union.
- Recalled the previous resolutions on the Cross-border meeting as dated 21 October 2022 in Yumbe district.
- Took note of the progress reports of the cross-border meetings and committees between the districts of Mayo, Yumbe and Koboko and Central Equatorial State of the Republic of South Sudan.
- Committed to the need for the safety and protection of South Sudanese Refugees hosted in the Republic of Uganda in collaboration with UNHCR
Therefore, the delegation of the two parties do hereby seize this opportunity to agree to act in the spirit of fostering peace, security and cooperation in the cross border meetings and signed hereunder.
Mr Goffin Gore, the Moyo Resident District Commissioner said one of the core principles as a government is the string believe in Pan Africanism, the African race has faced a lot of historical distortions from the rest of the world, Africa ha has lost a lot of opportunities to become competitive in development and take its space in the spheres of leadership in the world.
“We strongly believe that our unity and existence depends mainly on the realization that we need each other at all times. Our adversaries have for long divided as the 1894 Berlin conference along imaginary borders, families have been separated from each other to the level that they require a visa or entry fee to see each other cross the border and this distortion has continued to exist through use of bad politics along sectarian lines of religion, tribe and race”
Mr Gore noted that the President of the Republic of Uganda His Excellency Gen Yoweri Museveni is a strong advocate of uniting the African people in blocs like the East African Community, COMESA, IGAD and the African Union.
“It is in this spirit that we at various levels should always try to solve any contradiction that emerges among our people living along the borders to ensure that their Economic interactions should not be interrupted with. This can best be done through cross border meetings of this kind and this is the only way we shall play our role at lower levels in ensuring peace for development”, Mr Gore said.
Mr Angelo Daya Lodo, the Advisor for Peace and Security in the Office of Governor Central Equatorial State told the meeting that as Pan Africanism the people will continue to exist with each other because there is need to live together in harmony.
“We thank the government of Uganda for hosting our brothers and sisters who are the refugees in the settlements. You know South Sudan had been in the armed conflict because of this Ugandan government has allowed our people to be hosted as refugee as we struggle to attain lasting peace in South Sudan and we were sent to represent our government to address the recent incident that took place among our brother in the area”, Mr Daya said.
“Brothers in Uganda or South Sudan we need to learn to stay together because this incident has brought disunity among the two communities. As government we believe that we will work hand in hand and harmonize and give the right information to our communities to return to their area so that they continue with their economic activities”
Mr Williams Anyama, the Moyo District LCV Chairman said it is now the high time for the leaders now to walk on their talks.
“People must leave by their words they have committed to, definitely we are going to subscribe to it because a leader must not enjoy inhuman conditions our people are going through. All leaders must get concern because when all of us are committed the way some of us I real think this people would be resettled and they will be able to go back in their respective areas but we also want to appeal to people individuals who have Saling lands along the border because there are people who are illegal Selling lands which is not there’s and they are causing troubles that practice should stop from immediately effect because land is now sensitive assert by this individuals who want to sale land to get rich and cause to troubles to other people which is not worth”
“We had our own disappointments with the conduct of the commissioner of Kajo-Keji County because he greatly contributed to the cause of the recent confusion. The burning of huts in the disputed Linyamiro farmland following a meeting held by the commissioner of Kajo-Keji County and that is why at one point for us we felt he should even be replaced by the appointing authority of South Sudan government although they have not made commitment on that but for us leaders we think somebody who is trouble causer cannot continue to lead people when we don’t trust him anymore”
Mr Anyama noted that it would be difficult to relate with someone who the leaders from Uganda side don’t trust because the trust has broken down. “We pray that the government of South Sudan delegations sends our recommendations. We are not forcing them but if you put somebody who is going to do something else behind us how are we going to build proper cooperation because we are going to be in self-denial and we keep lying to ourselves”, Mr Anyama noted.
Challenges
Mr Anyama cited that there are some challenges that cannot be isolated from both sides.
“The aspect of Chiefdom is different from that of local government because cultural leaders deal with traditions while for us we deal with governance and leadership. We have agreed on basic Principles of improving coordination among the local leaders and the two parts have agreed displaced persons should be resettled because this are people now who have lost livelihood and they have nothing to eat; lack of latrine and already there is disease burden that is increasing because they are exposed to malaria infects”
Dr Paul Yususuk, the Archbishop of Central Equatorial internal province and the Caretaker Bishop of Kajo-Keji Diocese (Anglican Church) said there is need to be mindful about love for one another among the two communities of Uganda and South Sudan.
“All of you live in harmony with one another. Sympathetic, love as brothers and sisters and be humbled. Do not pay evil with evil or insult with insult on the contrary do pay evil with blessings because to this you are called so that you may inherit blessings”, Dr Yususuk said.