Dr. Riek Machar, First Vice-President of South Sudan, has urged for UN, AU, and IGAD intervention regarding the military presence of Uganda in South Sudan, claiming it threatens the 2018 peace agreement. He accused Uganda of deploying troops without permission from the transitional government and violating international agreements. Additionally, he noted Uganda’s alleged airstrikes targeting civilians, raising concerns over the implications for South Sudan’s democratic transition amidst rising tensions between key political leaders.
Dr. Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice-President, has formally requested intervention from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and IGAD regarding the Ugandan military presence in South Sudan. He expressed concerns that this presence jeopardizes the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement.
In a letter dated March 23, which was made available to Radio Tamazuj, Dr. Machar accused Uganda of violating international protocols by deploying troops without the South Sudan transitional government’s authorization. He addressed the letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Peace and Security Council Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and IGAD chair Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is also the president of Djibouti.
As the leader of the SPLM/A-IO, Dr. Machar highlighted that Uganda’s military presence contravenes the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS), which necessitates the withdrawal of foreign forces from South Sudan. He specifically cited violations of Articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7, alongside a 2017 ceasefire agreement.
Additionally, the letter accused the Uganda military of conducting airstrikes in Upper Nile and Jonglei states, with allegations of targeting civilians. As of now, Uganda’s government has not responded to inquiries seeking comments on these actions.
Dr. Machar noted that the current circumstances pose a risk to South Sudan’s transition to democracy, advocating for the UN Security Council, AU, and IGAD to mediate. He remarked, “Uganda was a key guarantor of the peace agreement. We expected President [Yoweri] Museveni to support its implementation, not undermine it.”
Historically, Uganda sent troops to South Sudan in 2014 under a bilateral agreement with the previous government; however, Dr. Machar asserted that the present administration did not ratify this agreement, making their ongoing presence unlawful per the 2018 peace deal.
The UN has upheld an arms embargo on South Sudan since 2018, which raises concerns regarding the entry of Ugandan forces, especially with heavy weaponry. Recent developments show that Uganda deployed special forces two weeks ago, amid escalating fears that South Sudan may regress into civil conflict. Uganda’s military leadership stated that the deployment was intended to “secure” Juba and support President Salva Kiir. Nonetheless, tensions have risen between President Kiir and Dr. Machar as the power-sharing agreement faces difficulties, leading to reported clashes.
In conclusion, Dr. Riek Machar’s appeal to the international community highlights the pressing issue of Ugandan military presence in South Sudan, which undermines the peace established in the 2018 agreement. His accusations of violations and the urgent need for intervention underscore the fragility of South Sudan’s political landscape, raising alarms over potential regression into civil unrest. The situation warrants close monitoring and effective mediation to ensure stability and adherence to international protocols.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
