![[PRESS RELEASE] – Urgent Demilitarisation Needed at Uganda Border – Civil Society](https://radioyei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/civil.webp "[PRESS RELEASE] – Urgent Demilitarisation Needed at Uganda Border – Civil Society")
South Sudan Civil Society Demands Urgent Action on Uganda Border Conflict
(KAJO-KEJI COUNTY) – The South Sudan Civil Society Forum (SSCSF) has strongly condemned the deadly clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) that erupted on 28 July 2025 in Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State, near the contested border with Uganda.
The Forum described the fighting as a serious breakdown in bilateral diplomacy and a violation of Article 124 (2) of the East African Community treaty, which requires member states to uphold good neighbourly relations to support peace and security across the region.
According to reports, heavy fighting broke out in a disputed area administered by South Sudan but also claimed by Uganda as part of Yumbe and Moyo Districts. The violence involved the use of heavy artillery and weapons, resulting in at least six security personnel killed and displacing thousands of civilians in the area.
The SSCSF expressed deep sympathy for the families of those killed and the communities displaced, calling the incident unacceptable and avoidable. The Forum blamed unresolved territorial disagreements and warned that innocent lives should not continue to be lost due to boundary issues that can be resolved peacefully.
In response to the crisis, the SSCSF is proposing the urgent development of a Joint Non-Aggression and Demilitarisation Protocol between South Sudan and Uganda. The plan would include:
| Proposed Peace Measures | Description |
|---|---|
| Immediate military withdrawal | Armed forces from both sides to withdraw from contested areas |
| Buffer zone | Creation of a 10 kilometre wide demilitarised zone (five kilometres on each side of the border) |
| Joint patrol team | A bi-national team from SSPDF and UPDF to monitor the area under third party observation |
The Forum also recommended the establishment of a Community Cross-Border Council composed of elders, youth, women and traders from both nations. This council would identify and address local grievances, such as land use and market access, that often escalate into conflict. The SSCSF noted that top-down solutions alone are insufficient, and urged local governments and civil society groups to lead these conversations.
Highlighting the need for stronger institutional mechanisms, the SSCSF proposed upgrading the existing bilateral border committee to a legally binding Joint Border Commission (JBC). The proposed JBC would be tasked with:
+Reviewing colonial-era boundaries
+Conducting geo-referenced joint mapping
+Making binding recommendations ratified by both national parliaments
Such steps, according to the Forum, would offer a legitimate and lasting solution to the territorial dispute.
The Forum further encouraged both governments to consider inviting a neutral third party mediator to oversee the process and ensure impartiality. It noted that without external support, the chances of biased outcomes and political deadlock remain high. Should bilateral talks stall, the matter could be submitted to international arbitration.
The SSCSF emphasised that long term peace cannot be achieved through force or unilateral claims to disputed territory. Military actions only deepen mistrust, increase the risk of civilian casualties and complicate future diplomatic efforts.
It urged both Juba and Kampala to immediately de-escalate tensions, improve communication and fully activate all diplomatic channels available to resolve the dispute and prevent further conflict in areas such as Kajo-Keji.
The Forum also pledged its readiness to work with local communities, governments and regional institutions to support peacebuilding initiatives along the shared border.
ABOUT THE SSCSF
The South Sudan Civil Society Forum is a coalition of more than 200 independent civic organisations across South Sudan. Established in December 2017, it unites civil society voices in peace and governance discussions.
Members include youth and women’s organisations, academic institutions, religious groups, and community-based networks. The Forum promotes inclusive dialogue, democratic values and active citizen participation in shaping South Sudan’s future.
For more information or interview requests:
Email: csoforum.southsudan@gmail.com
Tel: +211 916 710 104 | +211 921 672 655
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