Uganda, South Sudan Renew Border Security and Trade Commitments

(ARUA CITY, UGANDA) – Uganda and South Sudan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border security, expanding trade and promoting peaceful coexistence along their shared border following a high-level joint meeting held in Arua District, Uganda.

The Sixth Uganda-South Sudan Joint Border Meeting on Economic and Security Cooperation, West Nile Chapter, brought together officials from both countries from 23rd to 24th July 2026 to discuss key issues affecting cross-border communities.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ronnie Balya, Uganda’s Ambassador to South Sudan, and Emmanuel Adil Anthony Wani, Governor of Central Equatoria State.

According to the joint communiqué released on Friday 24th, July, 2026, delegates discussed trade and economic cooperation, customs and revenue management, security and stability, as well as migration, health services, and refugee-related issues.

The two sides called for the resumption of the Joint Technical Committee meetings to accelerate the re-marking of the approximately 470-kilometre border between the two countries by 2027.

On security matters, leaders emphasized regional solidarity and stressed the need for national defence forces to work together in addressing threats such as terrorism and violent extremism. They also warned against misinformation and inflammatory narratives, highlighting dialogue, joint border patrols and engagement with traditional leaders as key tools for maintaining peace.

The delegations further agreed to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers, streamline customs and immigration procedures, and improve cargo clearance along the Central Equatoria and West Nile transport corridors to facilitate trade between the two countries.

Both governments adopted an implementation framework to ensure agreed actions are carried out by relevant ministries, border authorities, security agencies, and private sector stakeholders. They also agreed to immediately reactivate Cross-Border Security Management Committee meetings to promote stability, peaceful coexistence and increased trade.

The Republic of South Sudan will host the next Joint Border Meeting at a date to be communicated through diplomatic channels.

The meeting follows directives issued by Presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan during a state visit in Juba in April 2025, aimed at deepening cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.