There are multiple and longstanding ties between Uganda and South Sudan, with the two countries sharing a common border and historical and cultural ties. The border though has been the subject of an on-going process of delimitation and demarcation. From 03-04 June 2016, the AUBP and ACCORD facilitated a confidence building workshop for delegates from the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) on Delimitation and Demarcation of the South Uganda-South Sudan international border. The meeting built upon the progress from the previous meetings of the JTC in December 2015 and February 2016 respectively. The meeting also took place within the context of African Border Day, 07 June 2016, and the Open Session of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) on the Prevention and Settlement of Border Disputes in Africa.
The meeting was opened by Ambassador James Pitia Morgan (Ambassador of South Sudan to AU), Ambassador Mull S. Katende (Ambassador of Uganda to the AU) and Ambassador Frederic Gateretse-Ngoga (acting Head of the Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Division of the AUC). The opening speeches highlighted the common histories and fraternal relations between citizens of the two countries, the importance of the technical processes in the delimitation and demarcation process, and the importance of preventing border conflicts and peacefully resolving any disputes that may emerge in the future.
Over the two days of the workshop, Mr Vasu Gounden (ACCORD’s Founder and Executive Director) facilitated engagements between the delegations to analyse conflict trends and dynamics and trajectories on the African continent, as well as specific strategies for problem analysis and problem solving on conflict issues. The third day was facilitated with the support of the AUBP’s experts on border issues, Mr Zabron Masele (former Advisor on Boundary Matters, Republic of Tanzania) and Mr Danny Mubanga (former Surveyor General of the Republic of Zambia).
This confidence building workshop marked the second instance that ACCORD has supported the AUBP. In November 2014, ACCORD facilitated a confidence building workshop for the Joint Boundary Commission of the Sudan – South Sudan border. On 24-26 February 2016 Mr Gounden the further participated in the ninth annual Wilton Park International Futures meeting, held in association with the United Kingdom’s (UK) Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence. The meeting, which was held at Wilton House in the UK, focused on the topic “The future of borders: geopolitical trends and challenges to 2030”.
While in Addis Dr Gounden met with H.E. Ambassador Smail Chergui, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, to discuss on-going collaboration between ACCORD and the AU’s Peace and Security Department (PSD). The PSD, as part of the African Union Commission, provides support to efforts aimed at promoting peace, security and stability on the continent. ACCORD welcomes the strong partnership with the PSD and looks forward to further work in support of the continent’s Peace and Security architecture.
