The United People’s Alliance (UPA) condemns South Sudan’s invitation to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) against a backdrop of rising tensions and violence. The UPA emphasizes the need for peace and unity among opposition groups, demanding the withdrawal of foreign troops. Recent military actions have renewed concerns about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement.
The United People’s Alliance (UPA) has expressed strong opposition to the South Sudan government’s decision to invite the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) amid rising tensions in Upper Nile, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Western Equatoria. As a coalition of the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) formed in January, the UPA aims to unify opposition forces under a singular command, with Gen. Pa’gan Amum Okiech serving as its Chairperson and Commander-in-Chief.
In a press release, UPA Secretary General Lual Dau highlighted that South Sudan is at a crucial juncture, with its populace seeking to alleviate the severe economic, humanitarian, and political crises exacerbated by government mismanagement. Dau condemned the ruling government for prioritizing warfare over citizen welfare, accusing it of deliberately seeking to reignite conflict by inviting foreign troops. The UPA views this as evidence that the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is no longer viable, asserting that Tumaini represents the only chance for peace negotiations.
The UPA demands the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from South Sudan unless mandated by the United Nations. The coalition calls upon both regional and international bodies to prevent other nations from worsening the volatile situation in the country. The UPA urges opposition movements and civil activists to rally against the government’s attempts to utilize foreign forces for internal repression, emphasizing the need for global support during these pivotal times.
On a related note, the Chief of Defense Forces of the UPDF, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, indicated via social media that Ugandan troops are present in South Sudan for the protection of President Salva Kiir and the capital, Juba. In contrast, South Sudan’s Information Minister Michael Makuei denied any deployment of Ugandan forces. Nonetheless, UPDF representatives confirmed the presence of their special forces in South Sudan to assist Kiir’s administration.
The conditions surrounding this deployment remain vague, with no explicit parliamentary authorization from Uganda. Recently, tensions have intensified between forces aligned with President Kiir and those led by his First Vice President, Riek Machar, following violent clashes resulting in significant casualties. These incidents have prompted a crackdown by Kiir’s government on Machar’s supporters, including detaining key officials, raising serious concerns about the stability of the peace agreement established in 2018 to conclude a devastating civil war.
In summary, the United People’s Alliance has condemned the invitation of Ugandan troops to South Sudan, viewing it as a pretext to renew conflict rather than ensure peace. The UPA’s unity under a single command reflects a collective effort to address the country’s multifaceted crises. The recent re-escalation of violence among factions highlights the fragility of the existing peace agreements, calling for decisive regional and international engagement to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
