Kiir dispatches envoy to Kenya as border dispute sparks diplomatic row

JUBA, FEBRUARY 9^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dispatched a senior member of his government to neighboring Kenya after border dispute sparked diplomatic row between the two neighboring countries.

The border rows sparked diplomatic row after armed tribal men from Turkana County of Kenya encroached into South Sudanese territory in Eastern Equatoria state resulting in the displacement of unknown number of civilians and wounding of a police officer.

On Wednesday afternoon, Kiir who was speaking during the swearing in ceremony of his special envoy Benjamin Bol Mel and newly-appointed Upper Nile stater governor, Kiir called on Mel to restore relations with the world beginning with Kenya.

“Our relations are tarnished around the world, as you take up your new assignment, go and normalize our relations with Kenya especially the recent tension along the border corridor and also improve our diplomatic relations with other Countries,” he said.

“I have stated many times that I will never take the country back to war again,” the president further stated.

DIPLOMATIC ROW

The border dispute has sparked unprecedented diplomatic row between the two countries.

While Kenyan authorities accuses South Sudan of starting it, Juba points fingers at Kenyan herders of encroachment into its territory.

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation summoned the Kenyan ambassador to the country and reiterated its peaceful approach to resolve the border dispute.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon Mayiik Ayii Deng, met with the Kenyan Ambassador to South Sudan (Samuel Nandwa) to discuss areas of mutual concern. Issues concerning our mutual border were raised,” said the statement.

“The minister, on behalf of the government of South Sudan, would like to assure all South Sudanese citizens that the highest levels of government are aware of the sensitivities at the border and are working in cooperation with our neighbours to ensure peace, prosperity and maintenance of border integrity,” it added.