South Sudan Renews Claim to Ilemi Triangle, Puts Kenya on Notice

South Sudan has once again challenged Kenya's control of the disputed Ilemi Triangle, with Vice President Taban Deng Gai insisting that the territory belongs to South Sudan.

Deng Gai raised the issue during a Cabinet meeting in Juba on August 29 while criticising a regional map that he said failed to accurately represent South Sudan's borders.

VP Rejects Regional Map

Deng Gai said the map left out areas that South Sudan considers part of its territory.

He specifically mentioned the Ilemi Triangle, Kafia Kingi and Horfart an Hasa, arguing that the areas should appear on maps as South Sudanese territory.

The Vice President accused Kenya of moving closer to treating the Ilemi Triangle as permanently Kenyan territory.

He said the dispute should remain open rather than allowing either country to present the area as a settled matter.

Long-Running Border Dispute

The Ilemi Triangle covers an estimated 14,000 square kilometres in a remote area near the Kenya-South Sudan-Ethiopia border.

Kenya has administered the territory for decades and maintains a security presence in the area.

South Sudan, however, inherited Sudan's historical claim after independence in 2011 and continues to argue that Kenya occupies territory that belongs to it.

The region also supports pastoral communities that depend heavily on water and grazing land.

Deng Gai Brings Up Moi

Deng Gai linked the current dispute to Kenya's political history, recalling the administration of former President Daniel arap Moi.

He claimed Moi changed Kenya's map to include the Ilemi Triangle during a period when Sudan faced civil war.

Deng Gai argued that instability in a neighbouring country could not justify taking control of its territory.

He also recalled protests that he attributed to supporters of former opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Communities Cross the Border

The disputed region remains important to several pastoral communities from Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Kenyan Turkana communities use parts of the area for grazing, while South Sudanese groups including the Toposa and Didinga also depend on resources around the border.

Ethiopian communities such as the Dassanech and Nyangatom regularly cross into the region.

Competition for pasture and water has contributed to tensions and clashes among communities.

Deng Gai's latest remarks have once again placed the Ilemi Triangle at the centre of Kenya-South Sudan relations, reviving questions over the future status of the contested territory.