OBSERVATION ON KEITH'S HORRIFIC CHALLENGES AT SSPDF.
Part 1.
A recent video I received captured Gen. Keith harassing the South Sudanese national army in the presence of the Border Committee tasked with a fact-finding assessment of the border issue. He lamented the naivety of the national army and the illegal occupation of the no man's land and challenged the power of the commissioners. While he might be correct to some extent, Gen. Kitungi failed to acknowledge the true definition of the issues at hand.
No Man's Land.
In the 5-minute video, Gen. Keith described the area in
question as a no-man's land. By definition, No Man's Land refers to a territory
or area that is not controlled or governed by any single entity, country, or
authority. This type of land rarely exists in Africa. Examples of no man's
lands in Africa include the Sahara Desert, the Kalahari Desert, the Namib
Desert, and Bir Tawil between Egypt and Sudan. In other parts of the world, we
have the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). With that in mind, it's debatable
whether the case between Uganda and South Sudan constitutes a no-man's land.
Whatever the case, the solution to the border conflict relies on the local
people affected, not on the baseless claim by the General.
The International Border Law.
The General, with his limited knowledge of law, made his
counterpart believe that they had breached the boundary law. However,
international border law emphasises treaties between the two affected
countries. In this case, South Sudan relies on the 1956 Independence boundary
agreement since it has not yet formally signed any border demarcation with
Uganda. Knowing this, Uganda's actions appear to be an encroachment on South
Sudan's land with the intention of annexing it before permanent demarcation.
The Zero Km.
Another area where Gen. Keith confused himself was the Zero
Km. If you study his claim, you'll find that he believes zero km is a distance
away from his standing ground. He also believed that the border should be 4 km
apart without residence, yet he claimed that the RDC of Lamwo district has
given 4 km² for the construction of a border post. Truth be told, zero km is a
point at zero, which is a reference point, not a distant location.
Victimising South Sudanese commissioners.
Gen. Keith was rude to the leaders of the counties affected
by his government. He publicly hurled insults at the Ikwoto county commissioner.
Not only that, but he also undermined the officers meant to protect the
borders, leaving them to beg for water. Honestly, there is a need to inform him
that a commissioner does not command soldiers the same way they do. Victimising
county leadership while praising state leadership is a double-standard act of
impunity.
In conclusion, Gen. Keith Kitungi's claim on the
Lobone-Ikwotos border between Uganda and South Sudan is marred by inaccuracies
and misunderstandings. His assertions about no man's land, international border
law, and the zero km point are flawed. Moreover, his behaviour towards South
Sudanese commissioners is unacceptable and reflects a double standard.
To resolve the border conflict, it is essential to adopt a
nuanced understanding of international border law, historical context, and the
needs of local communities. A comprehensive and collaborative approach,
involving dialogue and cooperation between countries, is necessary to achieve a
peaceful resolution.
Ultimately, the solution lies in respecting the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of both countries, adhering to precolonial border
law, and prioritising the well-being and rights of local communities.
End
Abunerry, Ayella John Bosco
Ketiv, Mavker and Rabbi
