Dr. Riek Machar, First Vice-President of South Sudan, has urged the UN, AU, and IGAD to intervene regarding Uganda’s unauthorized military presence in South Sudan, which he claims threatens the 2018 peace deal. He accused Uganda of violating international agreements through troop deployments without consent and expressed concern over recent airstrikes targeting civilians. Machar warns of potential derailment of South Sudan’s democratic transition and stresses the need for mediation to resolve the escalating tensions.
Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice-President of South Sudan, has formally requested intervention from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) regarding the presence of Ugandan military forces in South Sudan. In his letter dated March 23, he expressed concerns that this presence could jeopardize the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement.
In this correspondence, addressed to prominent international leaders including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Machar accused Uganda of violating international laws by deploying troops without consent from South Sudan’s transitional government. He emphasized that the military presence contravenes the Revitalized Peace Agreement, which mandates the withdrawal of foreign forces, outlining specific violations of articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7.
Furthermore, Machar’s letter alleged that Ugandan airstrikes in Upper Nile and Jonglei states were targeting civilians, intensifying the conflict. He warned that the ongoing situation could hinder South Sudan’s transition toward democracy and has called for immediate mediation from the UN Security Council, AU, and IGAD. He remarked, “Uganda was a key guarantor of the peace agreement. We expected President [Yoweri] Museveni to support its implementation, not undermine it.”
Machar pointed out that Uganda initially deployed troops to South Sudan in 2014 through a bilateral agreement with the previous government, which remains unratified by the current administration, thus deeming their presence unlawful under the 2018 peace framework. The UN has imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan since 2018, raising concerns about the legality of Ugandan forces’ entry with heavy weaponry.
Recently, Uganda advanced its military presence by dispatching special forces in response to fears of potential unrest in South Sudan. Uganda’s military leadership justified this move as necessary to “secure” Juba and support President Salva Kiir, amidst escalating tensions and reported clashes between the government and opposition forces.
In conclusion, Dr. Riek Machar’s appeal to the UN, AU, and IGAD underscores the precariousness of South Sudan’s peace process. The allegations against Uganda’s military presence not only question legal agreements but also threaten democratic transitions in the nation. Without international intervention, the risks of escalating conflict and undermining the peace process remain heightened.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
