‘It’s not part of Kenya’ – South Sudan VP Taban Deng renews claim over disputed Ilemi Triangle

South Sudan Vice President Taban Deng Gai has once again claimed that the Ilemi Triangle, a disputed territory, belongs to South Sudan and should not be considered part of Kenya on maps. The claim was made during the closing session of the Global Logistics and Trade Convention in Juba on August 27, 2026. Deng argued that the area should continue to be marked as a disputed zone until an agreement is reached between Kenya and South Sudan regarding the border.

He emphasized that the Ilemi Triangle should always be seen as a subject of discussion and not part of Kenya. The area, roughly 14,000 square kilometres, has been a point of contention between the two nations due to overlapping colonial-era boundary lines and historical use by pastoralist communities. Kenya has long maintained de facto control over the territory, but South Sudan continues to dispute this assertion.

The issue has roots in colonial boundary arrangements and has been exacerbated by competition over resources. Efforts to resolve the dispute have included negotiations and the formation of a Joint Technical Team in 2023, but progress has been limited.