South Sudan defends Uganda’s military presence in Juba as aligned with a historic pact to combat threats like the LRA. Minister Michael Makuei Leuth states that Ugandan forces are there to support the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces amid rising political tensions with rival Riek Machar. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba warns against any opposition to President Kiir. Uganda has sent additional troops to reinforce support for Kiir during this unrest.
The government of South Sudan has provided clarification regarding the presence of Ugandan troops in Juba. This deployment, consisting of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), is executed as part of an existing military agreement aimed at collaboratively addressing threats, particularly from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
Michael Makuei Leuth, South Sudan’s Minister of Information, emphasized that the UPDF’s involvement is not a new initiative but a continuation of a previously established security arrangement. He stated, “The government of South Sudan and the government of Uganda have a military pact that was signed since the time of LRA.”
Leuth further clarified that the UPDF forces are composed primarily of support and technical units intended to assist the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). Despite earlier denials regarding Ugandan troops in the nation, their presence is deemed essential to bolster President Salva Kiir’s position amidst escalating political strife with his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar.
The troop deployment occurs during a period of heightened tension and military unrest in South Sudan, characterized by ongoing clashes between government forces and the White Army in Upper Nile State, along with significant events like the attack on a UN helicopter and the detention of key opposition figures.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, has openly affirmed support for President Kiir, articulating that any opposition to him would constitute a breach of peace between Uganda and South Sudan. He declared, “We the UPDF (Ugandan military) only recognize one President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir… Any move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda.”
Additionally, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus in Uganda has endorsed this deployment, advocating for stability and conflict prevention. In a decisive move, Uganda has also provided additional troops and heavy artillery to support President Kiir, responding to the White Army’s recent capture of the strategic town of Nasir and subsequent military actions aimed at hindering their supply lines.
At this juncture, neither the United Nations nor regional authorities have formally addressed Uganda’s rationale for its troop deployment in South Sudan based on the longstanding anti-LRA military pact.
In conclusion, South Sudan supports the presence of Ugandan troops as part of a historic military agreement aimed at addressing security threats. As tensions rise, especially with the ongoing conflict involving the White Army and political rivalries, South Sudan emphasizes the deployment’s strategic necessity. Uganda’s military leadership openly backs President Salva Kiir, framing opposition as a potential act of war, thus underscoring the complex regional dynamics at play. The international community has yet to respond to this development.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
