Guya Scopas Bethuel — The South Sudan Civil Society Forum (SSCSF) has strongly condemned the recent armed clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in Kajo-Keji County, urging both nations to pursue non-violent, lasting solutions to their long-running border dispute.
The incident, which occurred on July 28, involved heavy fighting in a contested area along the South Sudan–Uganda border. The territory, located in Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria State, is administered by South Sudan but also claimed by Uganda’s Yumbe and Moyo districts. The confrontation, triggered by conflicting military deployments and territorial claims, reportedly claimed the lives of at least six security personnel and displaced thousands of civilians.
In a strongly worded statement, the SSCSF described the violence as a “grave failure of bilateral diplomacy” and a violation of the East African Community’s principles of peaceful coexistence. The group expressed solidarity with affected families and displaced residents, stating that “innocent lives are sacrificed due to longstanding but solvable disagreements over boundaries.”
The civil society coalition is now calling for the immediate implementation of a Joint Non-Aggression and De-Militarization Protocol between the two nations. Their proposed measures include the withdrawal of all armed forces from disputed zones, the creation of a five-kilometer buffer zone on each side of the contested boundary, and the formation of a Joint Monitoring Team made up of SSPDF and UPDF personnel to help prevent further incidents.
Beyond security measures, the SSCSF is advocating for inclusive grassroots dialogue through the creation of a Community Cross-Border Council. This council, comprised of elders, women, youth, and local traders, would work to address community grievances such as land use disputes and market access—factors often cited as fueling local-level conflict.
The group also criticized the current bilateral border committee as lacking sufficient authority, recommending its transformation into a treaty-backed Joint Border Commission (JBC). Such a body would be tasked with reviewing colonial-era boundaries, conducting joint mapping, and making enforceable decisions, subject to ratification by both parliaments.
Given the recurring tensions, SSCSF further proposed the involvement of a neutral third-party mediator to facilitate impartial and technically sound negotiations. Failing that, the Forum suggested that the dispute be submitted to binding international arbitration to ensure a peaceful and lawful resolution.
The statement concluded with a warning against military solutions to the border conflict, urging both governments to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue. “Lasting peace along a shared border cannot be achieved through military force or unilateral assertions,” the group said. “Sustainable resolution requires principled diplomacy and a genuine commitment to justice and accountability.”
The SSCSF reaffirmed its readiness to support efforts toward peace in partnership with national authorities, local communities, and regional stakeholders.