South Sudan justifies the presence of Ugandan troops as part of a long-standing military agreement to combat threats such as the LRA. The deployment aims to support President Salva Kiir amidst rising political tensions. Uganda’s military leadership has voiced strong support for Kiir, while increased military presence persists. International response remains pending.
The government of South Sudan has justified the presence of Ugandan troops in Juba, asserting that the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) is a continuation of a decades-old bilateral military agreement aimed at addressing threats from groups like the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Michael Makuei Leuth, South Sudan’s Minister of Information, emphasized that this deployment is an extension of a historic security arrangement rather than a new intervention.
Makuei articulated, “The government of South Sudan and the government of Uganda have a military pact that was signed since the time of LRA. This agreement has not been nullified, but we use it when necessary. The UPDF forces that arrived in Juba are support units and technical units. They have come to support their brothers and sisters in the SSPDF.” Previously, Juba had dismissed reports regarding the deployment of UPDF forces.
This troop presence aims to bolster President Salva Kiir’s authority amid escalating political strife with First Vice President Riek Machar. The situation in South Sudan is tense, evidenced by ongoing clashes between government troops and the White Army in Upper Nile State, an attack on a UN helicopter, and the detention of opposition leaders, including SPLA-IO Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam.
Additionally, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, expressed a strong backing for President Kiir, stating that any threats to his leadership would be interpreted as a war declaration against Uganda. He remarked, “We the UPDF (Ugandan military) only recognize one President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir… Any move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda.” The ruling NRM Parliamentary Caucus in Uganda has already endorsed this military deployment, emphasizing its role in stabilizing the region.
Moreover, Uganda recently increased its military presence in South Sudan by dispatching additional troops and artillery to further support President Kiir. The White Army, aligned with Machar, has made strategic advances, including capturing Nasir, a key town near the Ethiopian border. In response, the Ugandan army employed warplanes to strike the Nasir airstrip, likely intending to obstruct the White Army’s access to aerial supplies. As of now, the United Nations and regional stakeholders have yet to respond to Uganda’s rationale for its military reinforcements in South Sudan under the existing anti-LRA agreement.
In summary, South Sudan’s government affirms the Ugandan military’s presence as a rightful extension of an ongoing military pact aimed at neutralizing security threats. The deployment is a critical element of President Salva Kiir’s strategy to maintain stability amid political strife. Uganda’s military leadership advocates robust support for Kiir, framing any dissent as a direct aggression towards Uganda. As tensions rise, the international community’s response remains to be seen, underscoring the complexities of regional security dynamics.
Original Source: chimpreports.com