Migingo dispute has dragged on for too long
Aug 25, 2011
The agreement reached between Uganda and Kenya to jointly police the disputed Migingo Island as the survey establishes in which country it is located is quite commendable.
The agreement reached between Uganda and Kenya to jointly police the disputed Migingo Island as the survey establishes in which country it is located is quite commendable.
Under the agreement signed by the Police chiefs of the two countries Uganda and Kenya, each country will deploy 12 police officers to beef up the security on the tiny island. The two countries will also set up joint patrols and crime prevention programmes.
The row between Uganda and Kenya over the one-acre island has been on since 2004 when Ugandan security pitched camp at the island to fight piracy in Lake Victoria. In 2009, the two countries agreed to remark the borders.
The two countries subsequently set up a joint verification committee to establish the boundaries and determine which country owned the island. There was stalemate after the two countries disagreed on the demarcation of boundaries and erection of boundary pillars.
While the agreement on the joint policing of the disputed island is a step in right direction, the governments of the two nations should expeditiously resolve this border dispute. It is a matter of concern that the two nations have for seven years not resolved this matter that, on the face of it, appears simple and straightforward.
This tiny island cannot belong to both countries. It is either part of Uganda or Kenya. For an amicable resolution of this border conflict, the leaders of both two countries should be prepared to accept the final verdict by the experts, provided the re-demarcation of the boundary is carried out transparently and accurately.
Under the agreement signed by the Police chiefs of the two countries Uganda and Kenya, each country will deploy 12 police officers to beef up the security on the tiny island. The two countries will also set up joint patrols and crime prevention programmes.
The row between Uganda and Kenya over the one-acre island has been on since 2004 when Ugandan security pitched camp at the island to fight piracy in Lake Victoria. In 2009, the two countries agreed to remark the borders.
The two countries subsequently set up a joint verification committee to establish the boundaries and determine which country owned the island. There was stalemate after the two countries disagreed on the demarcation of boundaries and erection of boundary pillars.
While the agreement on the joint policing of the disputed island is a step in right direction, the governments of the two nations should expeditiously resolve this border dispute. It is a matter of concern that the two nations have for seven years not resolved this matter that, on the face of it, appears simple and straightforward.
This tiny island cannot belong to both countries. It is either part of Uganda or Kenya. For an amicable resolution of this border conflict, the leaders of both two countries should be prepared to accept the final verdict by the experts, provided the re-demarcation of the boundary is carried out transparently and accurately.