UPA Condemns South Sudan Government’s Invitation to Ugandan Army
The UPA has condemned the South Sudan government’s decision to invite UPDF troops amid rising tensions. They argue this action could ignite further conflict, undermining the existing peace agreement. The UPA calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops and urges regional and international intervention to stabilize the situation.
The United People’s Alliance (UPA) has vehemently criticized the South Sudan government for allegedly inviting the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to intervene amid ongoing tensions and conflicts in several regions, particularly Upper Nile, Western Bhar Ghazal, and Western Equatoria. The UPA, formed as a coalition of various opposition groups, has expressed alarm over the implications of this military presence, viewing it as a harmful step towards deepening the existing crisis in the nation.
In a press release from UPA Secretary General Lual Dau, the organization remarked on the critical juncture South Sudan is facing, emphasizing that the local populace is striving to rescue the nation from escalating humanitarian, economic, and political challenges, including significant mismanagement of resources. The UPA contends that the government of South Sudan is purposefully instigating a return to conflict by inviting foreign military forces into the country, calling into question the viability of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The UPA has called urgently for the withdrawal of all non-UN mandated foreign troops in South Sudan and has appealed to both regional neighbors and the international community to avoid aggravating the situation. Furthermore, the UPA has encouraged opposition movements, civil activists, and the citizenry to protest against the government’s decision to deploy foreign troops, which they believe could lead to greater violence and instability.
On Tuesday, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defense Forces of Uganda, asserted on social media that UPDF troops are present in South Sudan to provide protection for President Salva Kiir and to secure Juba, the capital. Conversely, South Sudan’s Information Minister Michael Makuei denied any deployment of UPDF forces within South Sudan, complicating the narrative.
The announcement about the UPDF’s involvement led to confirmation from the UPDF spokesperson regarding the deployment of special forces to aid President Kiir’s government, with the specifics of their authorization remaining obscured due to a lack of public approval by Uganda’s parliament. This military engagement coincides with escalating tensions between President Kiir’s forces and those of First Vice President Riek Machar, suggesting a volatile security environment that threatens the 2018 peace agreement that concluded the recent civil war.
The United People’s Alliance has raised significant concerns about the recent involvement of Ugandan forces in South Sudan, perceiving it as a step towards renewed conflict rather than stability. They demand immediate action from the international community to prevent foreign military intervention and stress the need for solidarity among opposition groups against the government’s tactics. These developments highlight the fragility of the existing peace agreement and the dire need for effective governance in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
