The United People’s Alliance criticizes South Sudan’s government for inviting Ugandan troops amid escalating tensions. Formed in January, the UPA demands foreign troop withdrawal and calls for regional and international involvement to prevent further conflict. Recent violence has threatened the fragile peace initiated in 2018 following a civil war.
The United People’s Alliance (UPA) has strongly criticized the South Sudanese government’s invitation to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) amidst ongoing violence in Upper Nile, Western Bhar Ghazal, and Western Equatoria states. Formed in January, the UPA is a coalition of various opposition groups under the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), which is involved in the Tumaini Initiative peace negotiations in Kenya.
In a press release from UPA Secretary General Lual Dau, the UPA declared that South Sudan is facing a critical moment as citizens seek to address the economic, humanitarian, and political crises caused by mismanagement from the ruling government. The UPA condemned the perceived intentions of the Juba government to revert the nation to conflict rather than prioritizing citizen welfare.
The UPA emphasized the necessity for the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops not sanctioned by the United Nations from South Sudan. The coalition also called upon regional neighbors and the international community to avoid exacerbating the situation and urged opposition movements, civil society activists, and citizens to protest against the government’s actions that threaten to inflict further violence.
On a related note, Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced the presence of Ugandan troops in South Sudan to protect President Salva Kiir and secure Juba. However, South Sudan’s Information Minister Michael Makuei denied any such deployment, while UPDF officials confirmed the deployment of special forces to support Kiir’s administration.
Tensions between the forces of President Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar have risen, particularly following an attack by militias loyal to Machar in Nasir, which claimed numerous lives. In response, there has been a crackdown on Machar’s supporters, raising concerns for the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement that ended a protracted civil war.
The UPA’s condemnation of the invitation to the UPDF underscores significant concerns over South Sudan’s direction amid rising violence and political turmoil. The call for foreign troop withdrawal and a focus on local grievances highlights the urgent need for stability and peace negotiations. The developments suggest heightened risks to both the government and the civilians, calling for international attention and intervention to preserve the peace agreement established in 2018.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
