Skip to main content

FLAWS IN GEN. KEITH KITUNGI'S BORDERS CLAIM. A Critical Observation

Gen. Keith of the UPDF captured Challenging. 

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

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Open Letter to the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State

02-08-2026 His Excellency Louis Lobong Lojore Governor, Eastern Equatoria State Subject: Urgent Appeal for the Immediate Removal of Cattle from Magwi County, Particularly the Nimule Area Your Excellency, I write to you as a concerned citizen regarding the continued presence of thousands of cattle in Magwi County, particularly in and around the Nimule area. This situation demands your urgent attention and intervention. In the recent past, government authorities, local leaders, and communities agreed that the presence of cattle in Magwi County is unacceptable. This position is consistent with the Presidential directive ordering all cattle to return to their areas of origin. Despite this clear directive, many cattle keepers, particularly from Bor, continue to disregard the order and have returned with large herds into the county. Today, thousands of cattle are moving freely in the Nimule area and occupying locations less than ten kilometres from Nimule Municipality. We are all aware of t...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNMASKING THE RED BELT: Community Defense or Security Threats

WHY IS EQUATORIA MENTIONED? September 2, 2025 Many South Sudanese tribes have vigilante groups, particularly in cattle-keeping communities. Based on their mandates, it is clear that each group aims to protect and defend its community from neighbouring raiders. Communities like the Dinka, Nuer, and Murle have such groups, and their long-standing conflicts over resources suggest this is a survival mechanism. From my experience, South Sudan's community insecurity worsened in 2017 when the economy collapsed due to unresolved civil conflicts. Youths formed groups with different names, such as the Toronto, West Coasts, Black Mambas, and Invincible Scorpions, in Juba and other major cities. In Nimule, many of these youths brought ideas from Juba's Sherikat suburb after escaping arrest or internal disputes. Today, gangs are widespread in major towns and cities.   Recently, the Red Belt group emerged in Bor, disrupting a peaceful tournament and attacking the National Security Servic...
Post a Comment
Read more

DO NOT JOIN STAR INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY MAGWI CAMPUS UNTIL IT FULLY ESTABLISHES ITS OWN STUDY CENTRE

Between 2017 and 2019, I wrote several articles about the fraudulent practices of Kampala University. Those who were its students were aggressively defensive, only to concede later. This happened after the Ministry of Higher Education declared the university illegal. Although the students pursued a legal case against the university, they sadly lost. Education is a right for everyone, but a learning institution should provide quality and legitimate services to the public. In South Sudan, several universities and colleges are operating illegally and exploiting poor students. On 22 June 2026, Star International University (SIU) launched one of its campuses in Magwi Payam, making it the second campus after the Nimule campus, which was established around 2021–2022. Accordingly, this could be the third campus in Eastern Equatoria, including the Torit campus. Such rapid expansion raises serious questions about the credibility of the university. A credible learning institution cannot spread i...
2 comments
Read more