Defense Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth dissents from military leaders regarding UPDF deployment in South Sudan amid rising tensions. He requests verification of troop movements, emphasizing that parliamentary authorization is necessary for such actions. Concerns over military conduct without proper oversight reflect broader issues in governance and adherence to constitutional law regarding military deployments.
The Minister of Defense, Jacob Oboth Oboth, has publicly contradicted comments made by Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and UPDF spokesperson Felix Kulayigye regarding the deployment of Ugandan troops in South Sudan. Muhoozi and Kulayigye acknowledged the deployment amidst rising tensions between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, expressing concerns about the potential collapse of the fragile peace agreement between the two leaders.
In a social media post, Muhoozi shared a video showing UPDF officers arriving in Juba to assist the South Sudanese military, indicating the launch of Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya.’ In this context, Kulayigye emphasized that the deployment aimed to prevent further deterioration of the peace agreement. Despite these statements, Minister Oboth claimed he was not informed of such actions and requested time to confirm the reports.
During a parliamentary session, Oboth stated he had not received formal authorization for the deployment and emphasized his need for official information. Following this, Kira Municipality lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju raised concerns about the legality of the military’s presence without parliamentary approval, urging the Deputy Speaker to delay the session for clarifications.
Ssemujju contended that a national army’s deployment is a serious matter requiring legislative consent according to the Constitution. Furthermore, Erute South MP Jonathan Odur questioned the government’s control over the military, highlighting the implications of deploying troops without proper authority. He demanded the Minister verify the situation and report back to Parliament.
Current laws dictate that Parliament must authorize military deployments even if it is in recess. This instance is not isolated; the UPDF had previously deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo without parliamentary approval in 2021 under ‘Operation Shujaa’ against insurgent forces. Concerns regarding South Sudan’s security have escalated, leading to actions such as the evacuation of non-emergency US staff and recent arrests related to the ongoing conflict.
In summary, the conflicting statements regarding the UPDF’s deployment in South Sudan raise significant legal and operational questions about the military actions. Minister Oboth’s claims highlight concerns about unauthorized deployments, with parliamentary procedure potentially compromised. The ongoing tensions in South Sudan, alongside historical precedents of military action without legislative approval, emphasize the importance of clarity and adherence to constitutional mandates in military engagements.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
