South Sudan Justifies Ugandan Troop Presence Under Historical Pact

South Sudan defends the presence of Ugandan troops under a military pact established to combat the Lord’s Resistance Army. The deployment aims to support President Salva Kiir amid rising political tensions. Uganda’s military leaders have expressed firm backing for Kiir, while the situation on the ground continues to evolve amidst ongoing conflict and opposition actions.

The government of South Sudan has justified the presence of Ugandan troops in Juba, asserting that their deployment aligns with a longstanding military agreement aimed at countering hostile forces, notably the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Leuth, emphasized that this engagement under Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ is not a fresh initiative but a continuation of a prior defense arrangement dating back to the LRA conflict.

Minister Makuei further clarified, “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.” Despite previous denials regarding UPDF’s presence in South Sudan, the deployment appears to bolster President Salva Kiir’s position amidst escalating tensions with rival political factions, particularly First Vice President Riek Machar.

The troop deployment coincides with increased military activity in South Sudan, including engagements between government forces and the opposing White Army in Upper Nile State, the assault on a UN helicopter in Nasir, and the detention of notable opposition leaders, such as SPLA-IO Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam. These events underscore South Sudan’s precarious security situation.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, has publicly declared unwavering support for President Kiir, stating that any attempts against Kiir would be interpreted as an act of war against Uganda. In his statement on social media, he affirmed, “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.”

Moreover, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus in Uganda has endorsed the troop deployment, citing its necessity for restoring stability and averting further conflict escalation. Recently, additional Ugandan troops and heavy artillery were dispatched to South Sudan to bolster support for President Kiir. Meanwhile, the White Army, affiliated with Riek Machar, reportedly captured the strategic town of Nasir, prompting military actions to disrupt their supply lines.

As of this moment, the United Nations and other regional actors have yet to release statements regarding Uganda’s rationale for its military presence in South Sudan under the existing military pact.

In conclusion, the Ugandan military deployment in South Sudan is rooted in a historical military agreement aimed at combating threats such as the Lord’s Resistance Army. This involvement has been deemed necessary by South Sudan’s government to stabilize its current political climate, which remains fraught with tensions. As both nations navigate their military cooperation, the situation remains delicate, and international response is anticipated.

Original Source: chimpreports.com