West Nile: the centre of border conflicts

By the look of things, there is no middle ground as Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo claim West Nile sub-region.
The latest contention is Vurra Sub-county where Congolese are claiming ownership of the land, which is 300 metres into Uganda.

As a result, the Congolese have closed the border. On the disputed land lie ruins of make-shift structures razed by the UPDF and police.

Corneille Aluma, the Congolese spokesperson for Aru territory, said: “Our people are clearing this land for a parking yard and to build administrative units for our customs. This is an issue that could be solved by experts from both countries. And we hope the experts establish the truth of the demarcation of the borderlines.”

This is not the first time this is happening. In Asina village, Abanga Sub-county Zombo District, similar claims were made by Congolese last year.

Why now?
Some experts attribute this to greed for pacification and expansion of territorial administration for economic gains and setting up a military base.

However, others believe the border conflicts are a result of colonial misrule that created boundaries.
Most affected areas are Asina, Per, Pamitu and Padeya where Ugandans and Congolese share a common language and cultural heritage. Most of the residents there have relations on either side of the border.

Life at the battle front
According to 76-year-old Jum-Pierre Ozelle, people are living in fear due to the presence of heavily armed soldiers. “We cannot harvest food crops because we have to hide from the soldiers,” he said.

Why West Nile
West Nile has been a safe haven for thousands of refugees from South Sudan and Congo especially in Arua, Moyo, Adjumani and Nebbi districts.

In 2006, Nebbi hosted 5,000 Congolese refugees from Nioka and Bunia while Arua had about 60,000 South Sudanese refugees.
The two countries still rely on goods that pass through West Nile districts and there is lucrative business in DRC which attracts Ugandan traders there too.

Trade relations
A survey conducted in 2013 by Rural Initiative for Community Empowerment (RICE) West Nile and International Alert indicates that the trade flow between Arua and Ariwara in DRC is great.
The survey places the value of trade flow at $88,176 (almost Shs 229m) per month compared to the value of significant products travelling from Ariwara to Arua of about $35,445 (almost Shs89m) per month. But the tension at the borders is threatening this.

Efforts
There are efforts by Uganda and South Sudan security to curb smuggling at the borders.
Recently, the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, and his South Sudan counterpart, Gen Pieng Kuol, signed a bilateral agreement.

Kuol said they (South Sudan) are committed to ensuring peace through joint patrols at borders. He blamed attacks on Ugandans on their “enemies who want to sabotage the smooth relationship with Uganda”.

Setbacks
Arua RDC, Peter Debele, told Daily Monitor that Uganda is still open for talks to resolve the land issue.
While that is being pursued, on June 9, the Congolese erected a barrier at Vurra customs, the main entry point into Uganda from Congo, to restrict entry into DRC.

The governor of Orientale province, Jean Bamanisa, said in spite of such setbacks, the matter can be resolved amicably.
In the meantime, drivers have to ply a longer route through Mahagi, taking three days in transit before getting to Arua Town.

The closure has interrupted the gold mining business in Duruba as well as the movement of UN peacekeepers.
The West Nile regional police spokesperson, Josephine Angucia, when contacted said, “we urge Ugandans living along the borders to remain calm and not be intimidated by the presence of Congolese soldiers. We shall seek peaceful ways of resolving the conflict.”

Debele said if local avenues of negotiations and respect to the Ngurdoto Agreement and the agreements signed between Ugandan ambassador to Congo, James Kinobe and Congolese ambassador to Uganda, Charles Lolokome fail, then technocrats will be called to establish the borderline.

Other territorial disputes
A few years ago, a group of South Sudanese claimed part of Moyo District and wanted it annexed to the new nation.
In Lefori and Moyo Sub-county, which were some of the areas under dispute, violent fights broke out that left crops uprooted and residents abducted by suspected SPLA soldiers.

The aftermath saw several South Sudanese businesses looted.
With the two countries sharing a wider chunk of land between Moyo and Kajo-Keji county in Sudan, the two States have renewed fights of unclear colonial inheritance and scantly defined boundaries.

The conflict drew attention of both President Museveni and President Salva Kiir who mediated talks on November 28, 2010. President Museveni said, “This is something we should not waste time on. Things must be done using the colonial map to identify the areas,” he said.

His counterpart Salva Kiir advocated for dialogue. He said, “The only viable option is for us to work together as a region.”

It was resolved that no activities should take place on the disputed land in Lefori. However, five years later, no report has been released to that effect.
In order for resolution to be achieved, there must be a change in the causes of conflict: governmental policies, external forces, population demographics and perceptions.

TIMELINE OF EXTERNAL AGGRESSIONS
In November 2007, DR Congo soldiers detained three people, two surveyors from Heritage Oil and a guard from Saracen after they lost direction and ended up in Kolokoto, Congo.

In May 2008, Congolese authorities stubbornly erected a barrier at River Ofo, 300 metres deep at Vurra customs in Arua District. The standoff was resolved when President Museveni and Joseph Kabila had a dialogue.

In June 2009, Congolese policemen set up a police post at River Nyibola at Goli customs along the Uganda border.
In August 2009, armed Sudanese attacked and stalled construction work at a telecommunications site in Jale, Moyo District.

In September 2009, seven SPLA soldiers attacked farmers in Gwerewan village in Lefori claiming the land belonged to Sudan.
August 23, 2010, members of the Armed Forces for Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) attacked traders at Kampala Market in Logiri Sub-county, Vurra County. They fired several gun bullets in the air and dispersed Ugandans who had crossed into DRC. More than 50 people were injured.

In November 2010, SPLA soldiers again took hostage of 13 farmers from Lefori accusing them of encroaching on Sudan land.
In March 2012, Nine Ugandan MPs were held hostage by SPLA soldiers.

Tension as DRC is accused of encroaching on border