Minister of Defense Jacob Oboth Oboth denies knowledge of UPDF deployment in South Sudan, contradicting statements from military officials. Amid rising tensions in South Sudan, Oboth requests parliamentary verification of the alleged deployment, stressing the need for legal authorization. Parliamentary members express concerns over potential constitutional breaches relating to military action.
The Minister of Defense of Uganda, Jacob Oboth Oboth, publicly challenged the statements made by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and UPDF spokesperson Felix Kulayigye concerning the alleged deployment of UPDF troops to South Sudan. This deployment is purportedly a response to escalating tensions between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, raising concerns over the stability of their fragile peace agreement.
In a social media statement, Gen. Muhoozi shared a video showing UPDF troops in Juba, indicating the start of Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ aimed at bolstering the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces amidst the crisis. Subsequently, Kulayigye affirmed that this deployment was intended to prevent further escalation of the deteriorating security situation and protect the fragile peace deal.
Contrary to these claims, Minister Oboth Oboth stated that he was not aware of such deployment nor had he participated in any meetings that authorized it. He requested additional time from Parliament to investigate the situation, addressing concerns raised by lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who questioned the legality of the army’s deployment without Parliamentary approval as mandated by the Constitution.
In the parliamentary discussion, Oboth Oboth remarked on the differences in the information accessed by journalists compared to legal professionals, emphasizing his dependency on formal communication over social media. He committed to verifying the deployment situation and updating Parliament accordingly.
Furthermore, MP Jonathan Odur expressed concerns about the apparent breakdown of command within the military structure, questioning the Defence Minister’s ability to verify such critical information promptly. He emphasized the seriousness of potential unauthorized military actions and called for more transparency from the government regarding military deployments.
According to the Ugandan Constitution, Parliament’s approval is necessary for any military deployment outside the nation, even during recess periods. This incident reflects ongoing concerns surrounding UPDF deployments, which have previously occurred without Parliamentary consent, such as the 2021 military operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo to battle insurgent forces.
The deteriorating security situation in South Sudan has prompted international intervention, including the evacuation of non-emergency U.S. personnel amid rising tensions, highlighted by recent arrests of key government figures linked to Machar. Such actions underscore the instability in South Sudan as a critical issue that warrants close attention and further analysis.
The statement from Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth indicates a significant discrepancy regarding the deployment of UPDF troops in South Sudan, contradicting earlier confirmations from military leadership. The constitutional requirement for Parliamentary approval remains critical as tensions in South Sudan escalate, potentially affecting regional stability. This situation emphasizes the importance of transparency and adherence to legal frameworks governing military actions. The unfolding events in South Sudan and the legislative response from Uganda’s Parliament will demand ongoing scrutiny by both lawmakers and the public.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
