The Gulu Catholic Archbishop Dr John Baptist Odama has cautioned Uganda and South Sudan governments over fronting violence as alternatives to settle misunderstandings.
His statements follow a standoff between South Sudan People’s Defence Forces- SSPDF and Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldiers on Tuesday last week at the contentious Uganda-South Sudan border in Lokung sub-county, Lamwo district.
Two SSPDF soldiers, part of an estimated 36 who had intruded into the Ugandan territory were shot dead and one captured alive with three guns.
Speaking to the press in Kitgum Municipality, Archbishop Odama says the two neighbouring countries share a lot in common historically and notes that both sides gain nothing in engaging in conflicts to address a mishap.
Archbishop Odama who also doubles as vice chairperson of Acholi Religious Leaders peace initiative says the two countries should look at promoting avenues that improve the healthy relationship and economic boosts such as trade and tourism.
According to Archbishop Odama, Uganda is currently home to hundreds of thousands of South Sudan refugees who fled violence arguing that if South Sudan engages in conflict with Uganda, it would on one hand be fighting its citizens. Uganda hosts some 882,699 South Sudan refugees as of September 30 according to data from the Office of the Prime Minister.
He called for dialogue through responsible people between the two nations to resolve the impasse.
Archbishop Odama through ARLPI, interfaith peace building and conflict transformation organization has been instrumental in brokering peace at the height of the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency in Northern Uganda.
Lt Deo Akiiki, the Deputy UPDF spokesperson in an earlier press statement issued over the weekend noted that the continued incursions onto Ugandan territory by South Sudan armed elements present a challenge not only to the border communities but to the brotherly relations between the two nations.
He revealed that diplomatic engagements by relevant stakeholders are on-going to complete the re-demarcation and reaffirmation of the common border to forestall future conflicts between Uganda and South Sudan.
Newer articles:
- The European Union provides additional €17.2 million to support health systems in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan - 06/11/2020 03:42
- South Sudan, mobile clinics of Doctors with Africa Cuamm to help displaced populations - 05/11/2020 23:48
- CPJ urges South Sudan to release 2 journalists sentenced to jail - 05/11/2020 16:00
- Journalists harassed, detained, and sentenced to jail in South Sudan - 05/11/2020 11:54
- The price of the dollar in Sudan today, Thursday, November 5,... - 05/11/2020 08:53
Older news items
- UN suspends operations in South Sudan after killing of two aid workers - 05/11/2020 00:00
- Covid-19: South Sudan headed for possible second wave as Covid-19 surges - 04/11/2020 22:01
- PeaceKeeping: Rwanda rotates female-dominated Police contingent in South Sudan - 04/11/2020 17:15
- Women, youth in Western Bahr El Ghazal called upon to sustain momentum in peace process at ... - 04/11/2020 15:33
- Meet South Sudan's Oil Operators - 04/11/2020 15:11
Latest news items (all categories):
- Hope for Christmas gift as South Sudan talks return to Nairobi - 05/12/2024 10:26
- Chinese medical team brings relief to South Sudan patients - 05/12/2024 10:18
- Sudanese bishop speaks about being brutalized by soldiers - 05/12/2024 10:08
- President Biden: Absent Principles - No Honoring Words - Broken Promises - 05/12/2024 09:55
- South Sudan’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Continues – Analysis - 01/12/2024 17:47
Random articles (all categories):
- Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan to set up regional response plan for coronavirus - 30/03/2020 09:51
- South Sudan’s Kiir reiterates commitment for peace in Sudan - 25/09/2023 05:36
- The Scathing Search for Unity of Collo Drums Support for Federal System - 14/09/2014 10:30
- Neck and Neck: Ankara and Moscow in the New 'Race for Africa' - 23/04/2022 10:26
- Darfur: Series of attacks on civilians sweeps the region - 07/11/2022 00:58
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 58635 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22221 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21370 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 18901 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 18050 times