Delegates from Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan in a high-end dialogue have convened to confirm and revise work plans and budgets for the establishment of the tri-junction.
The trijunction where Kenya’s Turkana, Uganda’s Karamojong, and South Sudan’s Toposa and Didinga communities converge has been marked by cultural richness but also by longstanding boundary disputes that threaten regional peace, security, and development.
To address this, the East African Community (EAC), with support from the African Union (AU) and German development agency GIZ, on October 30, 2024, launched a peace-building initiative involving leaders from Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan.
Speaking at the event on December 20, 2024, at the Golden Tulip in Kampala, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, said that the meeting was aimed at concluding on the implementation of the previously agreed-upon modalities for the implementation of the tri-junction boundary point between Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan.
“The tri-junction is a vital geographical and political point, which, once established, will help mitigate conflicts orchestrated by historical clashes that have arisen from disputes over unclear boundaries,” Bagiire said.
The head of delegation for Uganda, Jacqueline Wabyona Banana, appreciated the African Union and other partners for the support to facilitate activities to make sure that the tri-junction is established.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the African Union Commission, the EAC, and GIZ, who supported several activities related to the demarcation of the tri-junction, namely technical meetings, training of personnel, and acquisition of satellite imagery data for the re-affirmation exercise,” Banana stated.
In her remarks, the Head of Delegation of the Republic of Kenya, Juster Nkoroi appreciated the government of Uganda for hosting the meeting and stated Kenya’s commitment to have the tri-junction established.
“The Republic of Kenya is committed and ready to implement the MOUs on reaffirmation, delimitation, and demarcation of her respective boundaries with Uganda and South Sudan in order to comply with the AU deadline of 2027,” Nkoroi said.
The Head of Delegation of the Republic of South Sudan, David Nailo Mayo, reminded the members that the AU Border Program (AUBP), since its creation in 2007, had been working diligently on border matters, and their assistance was enormous, especially in supporting delegates to border meetings.
The 4th Tripartite Technical Boundary Committee (TTBC) meeting was held from 17th-19th December 2024 in Kampala and ended with the signing of the report of the Kenya-South Sudan-Uganda Tripartite Technical Boundary Committee members.
