Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan has signed an agreement with Northern Uganda districts to ease border passage for goods and services.
The memorandum of understanding was signed between Magwi, Budi and Ikwoto counties in Easter Equatoria and the neighbouring Lamowo and Kitgum districts of Uganda
Officials say the deal is to promote peaceful coexistence between the five neighbouring territories of Uganda and South Sudan.
The Commissioners of the three areas signed on behalf of South Sudan while Resident District Commissioners from Lamwo and Kitgum signed for Uganda.
Magwi County Commissioner, Otto David Remson calls on his Ugandan counterparts to deliberately maintain the regional corporation.
He says this will rejuvenate peaceful cohesion among the citizens at the border of the two countries
“My brothers from Uganda, we have already tied ourselves together at the grassroots level, we shouldn’t give a gap, the more we have a simple gap, the more difficult situations will also come to our citizens.”
The commissioner says international broader issues will be addressed by the national governments of South Sudan and Uganda.
“All our border issues, all the conflicts that we have, will one day be solved and I know the issue of the international border between South Sudan and Uganda can be handled one day by our national government.”
The Lamwo Resident District Commissioner, Oceng Godfrey Osborn commends the partners for the effort to bring neighbouring states to the table.
He says Uganda is committed to the signed treaties that will boost international relations, economic development and safe passage of traders.
The Resident Commissioner says good relations between neighbouring areas will allow for the safe return of refugees to South Sudan.
“We want to promote this oneness and we also want to see the borders remain imaginary and our people live in harmony.”
“We are here pledging our commitment to what we are going to sign tonight and we have agreed that quarterly we will be reviewing our action where the amendment will be done,” Osborn says.
The cross-border forum was organized by Lutheran World Federation, an International church-based organization operating in Easter Equatoria.
The organization representative, George Wesonga tasks the commissioners to spread the message to citizens at the grassroots.
“This is a great milestone in the process of cross-border management, and it’s just the beginning of the process. The rest now remains in the hands of those gentlemen (Commissioners), it should go beyond just signing and the discussion has to go a little bit further to grass root level.”
The authorities are mindful of the goal to strengthen security between the two countries, ease the mobility of resources, goods and services and eliminate restrictions along the border points.
According to the MoU dated 21st February 2023, the signatories agree to collaborate and end harassment of refugees, and traders and stop unnecessary border entry charges.