By Kei Emmanuel Duku
The Central Equatoria State (CES) Security Committee has issued an urgent demand for the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to immediately pull out of sections of Kajo-Keji County.
This decision follows recent reports of troop incursions and illegal deployments deep inside South Sudanese territory, which authorities say are blocking the return of refugees and displaced persons.
The stern directive was formalized on Tuesday following a high-level security meeting at Rajaf Payam, Juba County, chaired by CES Governor Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel.
Leon Abe Brown, the State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, confirmed the resolution to the media, noting that the State is engaging national bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to manage the issue through diplomatic and peaceful means.
“The Security Committee is calling upon the UPDF to vacate territories in Kajo-Keji County immediately,” Abe asserted. “They must give space to our people during this cultivation season, allowing displaced residents to return home and rebuild their communities.”
He underscored that no foreign military force has the mandate to operate within Central Equatorial State.
The Minister appealed directly to Uganda, describing it as a “sisterly nation,” to “urgently review this situation and ensure their forces withdraw from Kajo-Keji County in line with international norms and respect for sovereignty.”
Recent local media reports indicated the presence of UPDF in some parts of Kajo-Keji County in CES and has established several military positions inside the county.
The Minister warned that this unauthorized presence of Ugandan troops could severely escalate tensions and worsen the already fragile humanitarian situation in the area, directly hindering the effective return of refugees.
Abe emphasized that all cross-border concerns must be resolved through mutual understanding, dialogue, and respect between the two neighboring countries.
Despite the border issue, the Minister described the overall security situation across CES as “generally calm.”
The call for the UPDF’s withdrawal highlights recurrent border tensions between South Sudan and Uganda, particularly in the Kajo-Keji County area.
While both nations have previously cooperated on border security issues, unauthorized military incursions by the Ugandan army (UPDF) have been an ongoing point of contention.
This friction leads to diplomatic disputes and displacement of civilians in border communities.
The State Security Committee’s public and firm demand signals a serious intent to prioritize territorial integrity and ensure a safe environment for citizens to return and engage in vital agricultural activities.