The UPA has condemned the South Sudan government’s decision to invite Ugandan troops amid rising tensions and conflicts within the country. They assert that this move could signify an intentional return to war. Calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops not authorized by the UN are emphasized, alongside concerns for the stability of the 2018 peace agreement. The situation is escalated by recent violent confrontations between rival political factions.
The United People’s Alliance (UPA) has expressed strong opposition to the South Sudanese government’s recent invitation for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to operate within its borders, amidst rising tensions in Upper Nile, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Western Equatoria states. Established in January, the UPA coalition unites the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) and other groups engaged in the Tumaini Initiative peace talks in Nairobi under the leadership of Gen. Pa’gan Amum Okiech.
In a statement, UPA Secretary General Lual Dau highlighted that South Sudan is currently facing severe economic, humanitarian, and political crises, exacerbated by the government’s corruption and mismanagement of resources. The UPA criticized the ruling authorities, asserting that inviting foreign military presence signifies a deliberate intention to reignite conflict within the nation, thereby rendering existing peace agreements ineffective and necessitating the Tumaini Initiative as a pathway to peace.
The UPA has called for the immediate withdrawal of any foreign troops stationed in South Sudan without United Nations authorization and urged regional and international stakeholders to avoid further escalating the volatile situation. They also encouraged collective action among opposition movements, civil society, and citizens to protest against the government’s use of foreign troops to suppress dissent and escalate conflict.
Interestingly, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defense Forces of the UPDF, publicly announced via social media the deployment of Ugandan troops to South Sudan to secure President Salva Kiir and the capital, Juba. In contrast, South Sudan’s Information Minister, Michael Makuei, denied any UPDF presence in the country, while a UPDF spokesperson confirmed the presence of special forces in support of Kiir’s administration, despite unclear circumstances regarding the deployment and lack of parliamentary approval from Uganda.
Rising tensions have recently culminated in violence, including an assault by militias linked to First Vice President Riek Machar on the town of Nasir, resulting in casualties and intensified government crackdowns on Machar’s supporters, including the detention of various key officials. This turmoil has heightened concerns surrounding the stability of the peace agreement established in 2018, which concluded a devastating five-year civil conflict.
The UPA has raised significant concerns regarding the South Sudanese government’s invitation for Ugandan forces, framing it as a premeditated strategy to escalate conflict and undermine citizen welfare. The situation continues to escalate, marked by violent confrontations between rival factions and governmental crackdowns on dissent. It underscores the fragility of the peace agreement that had allegedly restored some stability in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
