The United People’s Alliance (UPA) criticized the South Sudan government for inviting the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) amidst ongoing conflicts. Formed as a coalition of various opposition groups, the UPA called for the withdrawal of foreign troops and expressed concerns over the government’s actions. Recent tensions between competing political factions have further threatened the stability of the existing peace agreement, prompting calls for international intervention.
The leadership of the United People’s Alliance (UPA) has denounced the Government of South Sudan’s choice to invite the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) during ongoing conflicts in Upper Nile, Western Bhar Ghazal, and Western Equatoria states. Formed in January 2023, the UPA acts as a coalition of the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), bringing together various opposition factions under a unified command with Gen. Pa’gan Amum Okiech as Chairperson and Commander-in-Chief.
A press release authorized by UPA Secretary General Lual Dau emphasized the critical state of South Sudan, where citizens are rising up against economic and political crises, along with the mismanagement of national resources. The UPA highlighted that the ruling government is seen as deliberately exacerbating the situation, thus indicating that foreign troop invitations denote a malicious intent to reignite conflict, undermining the peace efforts of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The UPA has called for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops from South Sudan unless mandated by the United Nations. They implored regional and international bodies to caution neighboring countries against escalating the volatile atmosphere within South Sudan. Furthermore, the UPA urged opposition movements, political activists, and citizens to protest against the government’s intention to utilize foreign forces as a means of oppression, emphasizing the importance of solidarity during these critical times.
On the recent developments, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, indicated via social media that Ugandan troops had been deployed to safeguard President Salva Kiir and secure Juba. However, South Sudan’s Information Minister Michael Makuei denied any such troop deployment from Uganda. Despite this, a UPDF spokesperson confirmed their special forces’ presence in South Sudan, which raises questions due to the lack of formal authorization from Uganda’s parliament.
Tensions have intensified between President Kiir’s forces and those aligned with his First Vice President, Riek Machar, following recent violent confrontations in Upper Nile State. The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have initiated a crackdown on suspected allies of Machar, resulting in numerous detentions, including the Petroleum Minister and senior military officials. These events have reignited concerns regarding the fragile stability of the 2018 peace agreement that concluded a grueling five-year civil conflict.
In conclusion, the UPA’s condemnation of the South Sudan government’s invitation to Ugandan troops underscores serious concerns regarding national stability. The coalition advocates for the withdrawal of foreign troops while appealing for international support in restoring peace. Intensifying internal conflicts, particularly between rival political factions, threaten the fragile peace established in 2018, urging immediate attention from regional and global entities to avert a return to full-blown war.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
