NALWADDA NSANGI
The South Sudan army officials have asked the Uganda government to tighten security at its borders to curb the heightened rebel operations that have seen increased recruitment of refugees into rebels groups.
South Sudanese officials led by Emmanuel Adil Anthony, the Governor of Yei River State said the rebels are penetrating the refugee camps and recruiting them into rebel activities.
This plea was raised during a cross boarder joint security meeting that held in Koboko that was aimed at building sustainable peace in South Sudan and Uganda communities along the border.
This is intended to promote local trade, safe border co-existence and progressive socio-economic development.
The meeting chaired by Adil was attended by different security chiefs from Yei River State and the districts of Arua, Koboko, Moyo, and Yumbe.
"The region and the world have worked towards peace in South Sudan. Peace in South Sudan is peace in the neighbouring countries and peace for the world, so we want international communities to support the peace process implementation," Adil said.
The authorities asked the Ugandan side to step up security along the borders and to stop the rebels from accessing the refugee camps.
It was alleged the rebels are penetrating refugee camps and recruiting the youth who are destabilising South Sudan.
Ali Wani Jacob, director of military intelligence, Yei River state, said: "The rebels sneak into the camps to recruit the youths, they disguise as well wishers and take them to South Sudan then they take them to the forests."
Taban Yasin, LC5 chairman Yumbe said they will not take the allegations lightly although so far they have seen no evidence of rebel activity in the district.
Naholi Oyaa, the RDC Arua said Uganda had mobilised forces to investigate the allegations of rebel recruitment in the camps.
The leaders said that both countries need to manage human movement and eliminate illegal economic activities that fuel rebel activities.