South Sudan’s Chief of General Staff, General Santino Deng Wol, held a high-level security meeting on Saturday with his Ugandan counterpart, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. A statement released by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) indicated that the discussions focused on addressing recent incidents of unauthorised incursions by Ugandan armed forces into South Sudanese territory. The primary objective of the meeting was to establish a framework that prevents any future violations of South Sudan’s sovereignty without formal permission.

The talks were prompted by an incident last month, when Ugandan soldiers reportedly crossed into South Sudan, displacing border communities from their homes. This incursion heightened tensions between the two neighbouring countries, compelling the South Sudanese government to send its Chief of General Staff to Uganda for diplomatic dialogue and conflict resolution.

South Sudan and Uganda have long-standing bilateral relations, dating back to before South Sudan gained independence in 2011. The recent discussions also addressed security concerns along the Nimule road, where buses are now escorted by soldiers following last week’s ambush on a bus travelling from Juba to Kampala. The attack, attributed to unidentified rebel groups, resulted in the death of at least one person and left several others injured, according to South Sudan’s military spokesperson, General Lul Ruach Koang.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining stability and ensuring that incidents like these do not disrupt the peaceful coexistence of the two countries.