A high-level cross-border stakeholders meeting involving dignitaries from Central Equatoria State’s Kajo-keji County and their counterparts from Yumbe and Moyo districts of Uganda to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries successfully concluded on Friday in Moyo Town.
The meeting was organized by the Episcopal Archdiocese of Kajo-keji to foster peaceful coexistence among the border communities.
Speaking at the meeting, Nyerere Julius Andama, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Moyo District, lauded the leaders of the two countries for ensuring peace and security along the common border.
“We want to thank our two heads of state for the conclusive bilateral arrangements they have put in place to ensure peace and security prevail along our common borders,” he said. “You know, Uganda has been standing with our brothers in South Sudan for quite a long time. During the time of liberation [struggle] up to now. We shall keep standing with you to ensure that our brothers and sisters in South Sudan stay in peace and harmony.”
Andama highlighted the need to propagate the message of wealth creation for the people along the common borderline to boost the economies of the two countries.
“When our people have money in their pockets, they can live peacefully, and their economic status will improve when peace is maintained. We also need to encourage our business people to increase the volume of trade along our common border,” he stated. “We also need to detect and prevent criminally minded people for peace to prevail.”
For his part, Anyama Williams, the Local Council 5 Chairperson of Moyo District, emphasized that boundary verification and demarcation should be prioritized.
“Everybody’s contribution counts, so the communities, local leaders at all levels, and national leaders should all embrace peaceful processes. To our national governments, the commissioner and the RDC’s office, the issues of boundary verification and demarcation should continue to be one of the actions that we all desire to have because it is important to know exactly where the national boundary is,” he said. “However, the boundary does not stop either community from settling anywhere. If tomorrow the boundary finds the Madi people of Moyo inside Kajo-keji, we shall allow them to remain there; if the community allows their farm to be here, we shall allow them to be here.”
Meanwhile, Pijakajo Moses the Kajo-Keji County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) coordinator who represented the commissioner at the meeting, reiterated the urgency to work collectively to promote peace and harmony between the two sisterly nations.
“Let us continue with such meetings so that we can come back,” he said.
The Madi people of Moyo and Adjumani districts in Uganda and the Kuku people of South Sudan’s Kajo-keji County are neighbors with a rich history.