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

South Sudan Vice President for the Infrastructure Cluster Taban Deng Gai has criticised Kenya’s position on the disputed Ilemi Triangle, saying the territory should not be shown as part of Kenya on regional maps.

Deng made the remarks during the closing session of the Global Logistics and Trade Convention in Juba on Thursday, August 27, 2026, where he questioned the way disputed border areas between South Sudan and its neighbours are represented.

He said the Ilemi Triangle should remain marked as disputed until Kenya and South Sudan reach an agreement on the border.

“This Ilemi Triangle should be seen always a place of discussion. It’s not part of Kenya. It is South Sudan land. Now, the Kenyans are almost agreeing on taking Ilemi,” Deng said.

The remarks have revived attention on the long-running Ilemi Triangle dispute, a territorial disagreement involving Kenya and South Sudan in an area bordering Ethiopia.

The size of the Ilemi Triangle varies depending on the boundary line used, with some studies putting it at about 14,000 square kilometres. The area has remained difficult to define because colonial authorities drew several boundary, grazing and administrative lines that were never fully settled as an international border.

Taban questions Kenya maps

Deng also criticised maps that, in his view, present the Ilemi Triangle as Kenyan territory.

He called for the disputed section to be clearly identified whenever regional maps are produced instead of being presented as settled Kenyan territory.

“So, when you bring a map that combines us with the East African, there’s a place of discussion. Please, mark that one as a place of discussion. Don’t take it, don’t take it to yourself,” he said.

Deng also recalled the administration of former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi, alleging that Kenya changed its maps to include the Ilemi Triangle.

“I remember one evening, one midday, late President Arap Moi decided to change the map of Kenya to include Ilemi Triangle,” he said.

Deng’s account of the historical map change is an allegation and does not by itself establish a change in the internationally recognised boundary.

Why Kenya controls Ilemi

Kenya has exercised de facto control over the Ilemi Triangle for decades. South Sudan, which inherited Sudan’s territorial claims after gaining independence in 2011, continues to dispute that position. Ethiopia borders the area but has not maintained an official claim to the triangle.

The dispute has its roots in colonial-era boundary arrangements involving British-administered Kenya and Sudan. Different lines were used over the years, including the 1938 grazing line, the 1947 line and the 1950 Sudanese patrol line.

The area has also traditionally been used by pastoralist communities, including Kenya’s Turkana and South Sudan’s Toposa, as well as communities from Ethiopia. Competition over pasture and water has contributed to repeated cross-border clashes.

South Sudan’s government has acknowledged the unresolved nature of the border. A 2025 government document said more than two-thirds of the South Sudan-Kenya border is disputed and identified the area as the Ilemi Triangle. It also said Kenya currently maintains de facto control up to the 1950 Sudanese Patrol Line.

Kenya-South Sudan border talks

The two countries have previously tried to resolve the dispute through negotiations.

Kenya and South Sudan agreed in 2019 to establish mechanisms to address the border question, while a Joint Technical Team was formed in 2023 to work on the territorial dispute.

The border issue has also featured in tensions involving communities living around Nadapal and other parts of the frontier.

In February 2023, South Sudan and Kenya agreed to establish a Joint Technical Team after clashes involving Toposa and Turkana communities. South Sudanese officials had accused Kenya of moving into areas they considered South Sudanese territory, while Nairobi rejected allegations of encroachment and said border delimitation was being handled through a joint process.

The territorial dispute comes as South Sudan also faces heightened security concerns in its capital ahead of the planned December 2026 elections. South Sudan has explained the increased deployment of security forces and street patrols in Juba, saying the measures were authorised by President Salva Kiir to reassure residents.