The UPA has condemned the South Sudan government’s decision to invite the UPDF amidst rising tensions. They argue that this act is a deliberate attempt to escalate conflict and undermine the existing peace agreement. UPA calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops and urges regional and international support against the government’s actions. The situation is aggravated by ongoing clashes between Kiir and Machar’s forces, threatening the fragile peace established in 2018.
The United People’s Alliance (UPA) decried the Government of South Sudan’s invitation to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) amidst ongoing conflicts in Upper Nile, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Western Equatoria. Formed in January, the UPA is a coalition of opposition groups including the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), uniting their forces with Gen. Pa’gan Amum Okiech as Chairperson.
UPA Secretary General Lual Dau issued a press release stating that South Sudan is at a critical juncture, with rising public unrest against the government’s mismanagement and resource exploitation. The statement condemned the ruling government in Juba for its intentions to escalate conflict, asserting that the invitation of foreign troops is a deliberate move to reignite civil war, signalling the failure of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The UPA demanded the immediate withdrawal of all unauthorized foreign troops and called upon the international community to prevent further instability in South Sudan. They urged unity among opposition movements and civil activists to stand against the government’s reliance on foreign military forces.
On a related note, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defense Forces of Uganda, stated via social media that Ugandan troops were in South Sudan for the protection of President Salva Kiir. However, South Sudan’s Information Minister denied these claims, while the UPDF spokesperson confirmed the deployment of special forces to support Kiir’s administration.
Despite the unclear circumstances of the UPDF’s deployment, it intensifies existing tensions between Kiir’s forces and those loyal to Riek Machar, First Vice President. Recent skirmishes, including a militia attack in Nasir, have raised alarms over the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement, which concluded a five-year civil conflict.
The UPA’s condemnation of the invitation extended to the UPDF highlights the escalating tensions in South Sudan. The coalition stresses that foreign military presence could exacerbate the ongoing crisis, calling for immediate withdrawal and solidarity among opposition groups. The situation is further complicated by claims and denials regarding troop deployments, which threaten the stability of the precarious peace agreement. Public unrest continues to rise as factions within the government engage in skirmishes, underscoring the urgent need for effective conflict resolution measures.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
