Border clash between Ugandan, South Sudanese troops kills at least four

Local officials claim that as a result of fighting between the South Sudanese security forces and the Ugandan army near the countries’ shared border, there are at least four fatalities.

Major General Felix Kulayigye, a spokesperson for the Ugandan military, reported on Wednesday that three South Sudanese soldiers were shot dead by Ugandan forces on Monday in retaliation for one of their soldiers. However, a local official in the state of Central Equatoria in South Sudan claimed to have received the bodies of five soldiers.

South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir has long benefited from Uganda’s military support, including the deployment of special forces since March.

Major General Lul Ruai Koang, a spokesman for South Sudan’s military, reported on Wednesday that military leaders from Uganda and South Sudan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire in order to launch an investigation into the most recent border conflict.

Local South Sudanese army commander Henry Buri claimed that the Ugandan forces were “heavily armed with tanks and artilleries” and that they were aiming at 19 “joint operation” forces in a statement released by local authorities. The Ugandan government made no comment.

According to local county officials, “both sides lost lives and suffered injuries” in a statement from earlier this year.

What allegedly caused the fighting in Central Equatoria, which South Sudan claims occurred on Monday, to occur, was unknown.

South Sudanese soldiers reportedly entered a remote region of northwest Uganda, known as West Nile, set up camp, and reportedly refused to leave. “We needed to use force,”

However, opposing narratives exist.

Mule referred to the firefight as a “surprising attack” by Ugandan forces on territory that South Sudan considers to be within its borders. The border between Uganda and South Sudan has been contested for years.

A joint border demarcation committee is being established by the two countries, according to Kulayigye, and its work is ongoing. Both government representatives have previously stated that they anticipate a swift decision in 2027.

Although there have been sporadic border conflicts over the years, it is uncommon for the military allies to exchange fire.

When South Sudan fought its first civil war in 2013, Uganda sent troops to support Kiir, two years after Sudan’s independence.

Before a power-sharing agreement was reached in 2018, Kiir and his long-term rival Riek Machar engaged in a five-year civil war that claimed 400,000 lives.

In March of this year, Uganda deployed special forces to avenge Machar’s repeated assault on him, igniting fears of a new civil war.

The power-sharing agreement has been almost overturned, and there has also been a militia from Machar’s Nuer ethnic community at conflict.