South Sudan will not cede inch of land to neighbors: deputy minister
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deng Dau Deng has said they will not cede inch of land to neighboring Kenya following renewed dispute over border.
“South Sudan will never leave an inch of its land to any other country, and it is its definition that South Sudan is called a country because of her defined territory and population,” Deng told journalists after the opening of one-day conference at pyramid hotel in Juba on Tuesday.
The tukul talks were organized by the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Tukul in Juba-Arabic refers to a traditional home.
On February 5th, clashes erupted between Turkana community of Kenya and Toposa community of South Sudan over border dispute in Nadapal area.
Deng assured the citizens that the government will get back every inch of land encroached upon by it’s neighbors after consolidating internal peace.
“South Sudan has fought the war with Sudan and we got our independence, I don’t think there is anybody that can take an inch of land of this country,” said Deng.
“We have priorities, our priority now is to consolidate our internal peace in the country so that when we have an issue with outside we should be facing it as a unified consolidated country,” he added.
Deng said the government can’t start running around fighting for its territories when it has not settled internal issues.
“We want to inform our youth to be calm and patient, your government will address these matters very soon,” he said.
