By Lodu William Odiya
Morobo County Commissioner Charles Data Bullen has officially handed over two detained Congolese nationals, two AK-47 rifles, and two motorcycles to authorities from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The handover took place during a high-level cross-border meeting with the Administrator of the Aru Region in Eastern DRC, Colonel Richard Mbambi, at the Kengezi Border Post near the Bazi Trading Centre.
According to a statement from the County Press Unit, the meeting was organized to address heightened tensions that have persisted for five weeks. These frictions arose from unauthorized border crossings and the retaliatory detention of individuals from both sides.
As a reciprocal gesture of goodwill, the Morobo County released two Congolese nationals and returned two AK-47 rifles and two motorcycles and Colonel Mbambi released two South Sudanese nationals and returned one confiscated rifle. “Both parties exchanged detainees and recovered items as a gesture of goodwill and confidence-building,” the statement noted.
Commissioner Data, accompanied by the County Executive Director, the SSPDF Area Commander, the Paramount Chief, and community elders, emphasized that dialogue was essential to restoring calm and promoting peaceful coexistence. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving territorial and security challenges through diplomatic cooperation rather than conflict.
Both leaders pledged to improve coordination between their respective security forces to prevent future incidents and address emerging cross-border concerns.
David Tsukia, the Chief of Kakwa in the DRC, described the meeting as a historic step toward finding lasting solutions to long-standing regional challenges. He noted that both sides are now committed to regular engagements to strengthen mutual trust and maintain peaceful relations.
The Morobo County Administration concluded by stating its dedication to fostering stability and good neighbourliness for the benefit of communities on both sides of the international border.