02/10/2026
UNITED LABOUR PARTY OF SOUTH SUDAN (ULPOSS)
FOR GOD AND OUR NATION
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ESCALATING TENSIONS BETWEEN ETHIOPIA, ERITREA AND EGYPT
Juba, South Sudan — 2 October 2026
AFRICAN PEACE, HISTORICAL JUSTICE AND AFRICAN-LED SOLUTIONS
The United Labour Party of South Sudan (ULPOSS) expresses its deep concern over the escalating tensions involving the Republic of Ethiopia, the State of Eritrea and the Arab Republic of Egypt, and strongly condemns any actions or rhetoric that could contribute to military confrontation, regional instability or further suffering among the peoples of the Horn of Africa.
ULPOSS believes that the present tensions cannot be understood only through their immediate political and security dimensions. They are connected to a much longer history involving sovereignty, borders, regional security, economic interests, natural resources and political arrangements shaped by different periods of African and international history.
We therefore call upon the African Union, the governments concerned and the wider African community to approach these matters with courage, honesty, historical awareness and a firm commitment to peaceful dialogue.
HISTORICAL REALITIES MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED
The relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea carries a particularly complex historical legacy. Eritrea was incorporated into Ethiopia in 1962 following a period of federation and subsequently experienced a prolonged struggle for independence before becoming an independent state in 1993.
This history continues to influence political and security relations in the region. ULPOSS believes that African institutions must acknowledge these historical realities when seeking to understand and address present-day tensions.
The relationship between Egypt and Ethiopia also has a significant historical and contemporary dimension, particularly concerning the Nile and the development and management of its waters.
These historical dimensions should not be ignored. At the same time, history should not become a permanent source of confrontation. Africa must have the courage and institutional capacity to examine historical questions peacefully and develop arrangements that reflect contemporary realities while respecting applicable international law.
THE NILE: A SHARED AFRICAN RESOURCE
The Nile is a transboundary African river system connecting communities and countries across eastern and northeastern Africa.
The White Nile system has important connections to the Great Lakes region, including Lake Victoria, while the Blue Nile originates in Ethiopia at Lake Tana. The two systems meet at Khartoum in Sudan before the river continues northwards through Sudan and Egypt.
This geographical reality demonstrates the interconnected nature of the Nile Basin.
ULPOSS recognises that Egypt has legitimate concerns regarding water security and that upstream countries likewise have legitimate development needs, including agriculture, energy generation, infrastructure and economic development.
The answer should not be confrontation between upstream and downstream countries. It should be cooperation, scientific dialogue, sustainable utilisation, mutual benefit and respect for the legitimate interests of all Nile Basin states.
The Nile should be treated as a shared African resource and an opportunity for cooperation and development.
No country should be expected to sacrifice the legitimate welfare of its people. Equally, development by one country should be pursued in a manner that takes into account the reasonable concerns and interests of other basin countries.
ULPOSS therefore encourages stronger African mechanisms for dialogue on water, energy, agriculture and regional economic development.
ADDRESSING HISTORICAL LEGACIES
ULPOSS recognises that some present-day disputes are influenced by historical agreements and political arrangements established during periods when African peoples did not have equal control over their political and economic affairs.
These historical legacies deserve serious examination.
However, addressing history should not mean creating new confrontation. It should mean creating a legitimate African framework in which historical questions can be discussed openly, peacefully and according to international law.
Africa must be able to understand its history without remaining permanently imprisoned by it.
A STRONGER AFRICAN UNION
ULPOSS strongly supports the principle of “African solutions to African problems.”
However, this principle must be supported by effective institutions capable of turning it into practical action.
The African Union should play a stronger role in preventive diplomacy, early warning, mediation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The AU and relevant regional organisations should have the capacity to identify emerging tensions early and engage the concerned parties before disagreements develop into military confrontation.
ULPOSS calls for stronger African mechanisms for:
* preventive diplomacy and early intervention;
* independent and credible mediation;
* regional conflict-prevention mechanisms;
* Nile Basin cooperation;
* shared-resource management;
* economic and infrastructure cooperation;
* early-warning systems;
* peaceful settlement of disputes; and
* long-term regional peacebuilding.
African institutions must not only respond when conflict has already erupted. They must develop the capacity to prevent conflicts from reaching that point.
AFRICA MUST ALSO ACCEPT ITS OWN RESPONSIBILITY
While recognising the historical consequences of colonialism, ULPOSS believes that Africa must also accept responsibility for its present and future.
Decolonisation took place decades ago. African states today have a responsibility to strengthen their own institutions, political systems and mechanisms for cooperation.
We should not attribute every contemporary failure to the former colonial powers.
Africa must have the courage to examine its own political culture, institutional weaknesses and leadership practices.
Strong African sovereignty requires strong African institutions.
AFRICAN REPUBLICS MUST REMAIN REPUBLICS
ULPOSS believes that democratic governance is an essential component of lasting peace and stability.
African republics should function as republics. Public office should be regarded as a constitutional responsibility and a form of public service—not as a permanent entitlement.
Political leadership should be subject to constitutional limitations, institutional accountability, democratic participation and peaceful political transitions.
Democracy should not automatically be dismissed as a Western concept or as evidence that African citizens are acting on behalf of foreign interests.
African societies have longstanding traditions of consultation, community participation and collective decision-making. Modern constitutional democracy provides additional institutional mechanisms through which citizens can participate in determining how they are governed and how public officials are held accountable.
Africa should develop democratic systems that reflect its own history and circumstances while protecting fundamental rights, political participation and peaceful political competition.
POLITICAL PARTIES MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE
ULPOSS believes that political parties have a special responsibility to demonstrate democratic values within their own organisations.
Democracy should begin within political parties.
Political organisations should promote transparent structures, accountable leadership, internal participation, financial responsibility, clear succession mechanisms and respect for their members.
These principles should apply to governing parties, opposition parties and emerging political organisations alike.
A political organisation that seeks democratic governance at the national level should also practise democratic principles within its own structures.
Democratic culture must therefore be built from the political organisation upward—from party members and communities to national institutions and governments.
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY
ULPOSS further calls upon African leaders to recognise that political power carries responsibility toward present and future generations.
Leadership should be about serving citizens and strengthening institutions rather than concentrating power around individuals.
Peace cannot be secured through military means alone. Sustainable peace requires political systems through which citizens can express grievances, participate in governance and resolve political disagreements peacefully.
Where institutions are accountable, citizens have meaningful political participation and leadership transitions can occur peacefully, the space for political violence can be reduced.
THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
ULPOSS recognises that the Horn of Africa is strategically important to Africa and to the wider international community.
International partners can make valuable contributions to peace, humanitarian assistance, economic development and institutional capacity-building.
However, such engagement should respect African sovereignty and support African-led diplomatic processes.
Africa should welcome genuine international partnership while maintaining the principle of sovereign equality and ensuring that external engagement does not contribute to confrontation among African states.
OUR CALL TO ETHIOPIA, ERITREA AND EGYPT
ULPOSS calls upon the governments of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint and maintain open diplomatic channels.
We urge all parties to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, military threats or actions that could further increase mistrust.
We encourage the governments concerned to pursue dialogue and peaceful mechanisms for addressing their political, security, economic and resource-related concerns.
We further call upon the African Union and relevant regional institutions to facilitate sustained African-led engagement.
The people of the Horn of Africa have endured generations of conflict, displacement and economic hardship. They deserve peace, stability and the opportunity to pursue development without the fear of renewed regional confrontation.
CONCLUSION
The United Labour Party of South Sudan believes that the current tensions involving Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt provide an opportunity for Africa to confront both the historical roots and contemporary realities of regional disputes.
We must be honest about our history without becoming prisoners of it.
We must recognise the legitimate interests of individual states while protecting the shared interests of the region.
We must strengthen African institutions so that African problems can increasingly be addressed through credible African mechanisms.
And we must build political systems in which leadership is accountable, institutions are respected and citizens can participate peacefully in determining their future.
The Nile should be a bridge connecting African peoples, not a source of division.
The Horn of Africa needs dialogue, not confrontation.
Africa needs institutions strong enough to resolve disputes and democratic enough to protect the rights and dignity of its people.
The United Labour Party of South Sudan (ULPOSS) stands firmly for peace, sovereignty, democracy, social justice, regional cooperation, accountable governance and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
AN AFRICAN SOLUTION TO AN AFRICAN PROBLEM.
UNITED LABOUR PARTY OF SOUTH SUDAN (ULPOSS)
For God and Our Nation
Juba, South Sudan
2 October 2026
