The Government of Eastern Equatoria State has deployed SSPDF forces at Tsertenya, between South Sudan and Uganda, to deter disputes.

The development follows tensions, including the alleged livestock theft and encroachment by Ugandan forces into South Sudan through Ikotos County.

Last Year, a local chief was killed, his head cut off and body burnt to ashes by suspected Uganda forces as well as raiding unspecified number of cattle from South Sudan.

Eastern Equatoria State Minister for Local Government Peter Lokeng and law enforcement agencies told Radio Tamazuj that the deployment is to protect the border communities and their properties.

He, however, decried the lack of water points for the recently deployed SSPDF forces, urging the government to intervene.

“Our forces are in Tsertenya but that is South Sudan. The reason for putting them there is the raiders who disturb the border people and their properties. This is the time for cultivation and they have to cultivate without criminals disturbing them. The forces along the corridor need water,” he said.

Ikotos County Paramount Chief Joseph Odong said on Wednesday that the deployment would help reduce tensions and the encroachment along border.

Odong said the communities along the borders have been living in fear following threats and attacks by Ugandan forces.

“It is a good initiative by the government because the issue of the border has been causing tension between the South Sudan citizens and Ugandans. The deployment will also help control the border and protect the communities,” he explained.

The Lokwaru Eastern Equatoria State Chairperson of the Civil Society Network Charles Onen, commended the initiative and appealed for additional deployments, including at Bira, Ngomoromo and Nimule.

He urged the governments of Uganda and South Sudan to use diplomacy and respect the international borders to help ease the tensions.

“We appreciate the Eastern Equatoria State Government for deploying forces along the border between Tsertenya in South Sudan and Apiriti in Uganda. We still appeal to our government to ensure that our international borders are protected and not tempered with.

“The current controversies need to be sorted out so that our borders remain intact and each country should ensure that there is respect for international borders,” he stated.