By Alan Clement
Commissioners from South Sudan’s Greater Yei counties have recently joined their Ugandan counterparts in a regional dialogue aimed at tackling the challenges of urban expansion, refugee influx, and IDP settlement in border communities.
The three-day forum, held in Arua District, brought together leaders from Lainya, Yei, and Morobo counties alongside officials from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Arua’s experience as a host district for refugees from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo offered practical insights into cross-border planning and service delivery.
In a statement, Robert Lasu John Morris, Commissioner of Lainya County, said the dialogue was timely, noting: “This forum has provided us with a valuable opportunity to share experiences and best practices in addressing the complex issues surrounding urban expansion and refugee settlements.”
The dialogue comes amid growing concern over the strain placed on South Sudan’s border towns, which face limited infrastructure, poor road access, and rising population density due to displacement. According to UNHCR, over 1.8 million people in South Sudan remain internally displaced, while border counties continue to absorb returnees and refugees from Sudan and DRC.
The dialogue emphasized collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable solutions, with participants agreeing that coordinated responses are crucial for stability and development in border regions.
South Sudan’s commissioners noted that lessons drawn from Uganda could help shape local strategies for managing settlements, improving service delivery, and fostering peaceful coexistence.
The Lainya County Government reaffirmed its commitment to “promoting development, improving service delivery, and enhancing the well-being of its residents” through partnerships that prioritize resilience and peaceful coexistence.