Morobo–Aru Border Talks at Kengezi
Authorities in Morobo County, Central Equatoria state, say they held a cross-border meeting with administrators from the Aru region of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Kengezi border post near Bazillion. They agreed on steps aimed at restoring calm after weeks of tension.
De-escalation Effort After Five Weeks of Tension
Officials say the engagement, held on Wednesday, was designed to de-escalate and strengthen cooperation between the neighboring regions. The meeting followed heightened tensions over the past five weeks linked to unauthorized border crossings and the detention of combatants on both sides.
Morobo Commissioner Calls for Cooperation and Free Movement
Morobo County Commissioner Charles Data framed the talks as a push for cooperation and freer movement to reinforce bilateral relations between the two regions. “Whatever happened in the past, let’s leave it behind,” Data said, adding that the governor had urged against “bad relations.”
Data also argued that unity could reduce fear around cross-border movement, comparing local aspirations to freer mobility elsewhere. He said Morobo authorities were handing over two Congolese combatants detained in the county and invited counterparts to ask them about their treatment.
DR Congo Local Leaders Seek Practical Solutions
David Tsukia, a Kakwa chief in the DRC, described the meeting as a “historic step” toward addressing long-standing regional challenges. He said the aim was to arrange a larger meeting between the two regions this year in Gumuro, with participation from Morobo communities.
Tsukia complained that some Congolese nationals had been arrested on public roads rather than inside South Sudanese territory, which he said angered the community. “If there is anything that made them arrest our soldiers, we can sit here and talk about it and find solutions,” he said.
Aru Administrator Emphasises Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence
Richard Mbambi, the administrator of Aru in the Congo, said dialogue remained the most effective way to handle disputes and stressed the need for peaceful coexistence. “Every day, if there is a problem, let us dialogue because we are brothers,” Mbambi said.
He also highlighted shared Kakwa community ties across the border, saying unity and mutual respect should endure. His comments echoed the broader message from both delegations that local grievances are best addressed through sustained communication.
Exchange of Detainees and Seized Weapons
At the end of the meeting, both sides exchanged detained nationals and seized weapons, according to officials. Those involved in the exchange had been arrested and held in Morobo and Aru in recent weeks, signalling a practical confidence-building step alongside the political messages.