Dr. Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice-President, has requested intervention from the UN, AU, and IGAD concerning Uganda’s military presence, citing violations of the 2018 peace agreement. Accusing Uganda of unlawful troop deployment and airstrikes against civilians, Machar warned of potential threats to South Sudan’s democratic transition. His letter has not received a response from Uganda’s government, amidst rising tensions within South Sudan.
Dr. Riek Machar, South Sudan’s First Vice-President, has formally requested intervention from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and regional bloc IGAD regarding Uganda’s military presence in his country. In a letter dated March 23, Dr. Machar expressed concerns that Uganda’s actions pose a threat to the fragile peace established by the 2018 agreement between the two nations.
In his correspondence, Dr. Machar accused Uganda of violating international accords by deploying troops without the approval of South Sudan’s transitional government. The letter was directed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and IGAD Chair Ismail Omar Guelleh, also Djibouti’s president.
Leading the SPLM/A-IO opposition group, Mr. Machar stated that Uganda’s military presence contravenes the Revitalized Peace Agreement that mandates the removal of foreign forces from South Sudan. He referenced specific violations of Articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7 and highlighted a ceasefire agreement from 2017.
In addition to the troop deployment, Dr. Machar accused Uganda of conducting airstrikes in Upper Nile and Jonglei states, claiming that these operations targeted civilians. As of now, Uganda’s government has not provided any comments regarding these allegations.
Dr. Machar cautioned that the ongoing situation might derail the delayed transition to democracy in South Sudan and called for mediation efforts from the UN Security Council, AU, and IGAD. He pointed out, “Uganda was a key guarantor of the peace agreement. We expected President [Yoweri] Museveni to support its implementation, not undermine it.”
Uganda initially sent troops to South Sudan in 2014 based on a bilateral agreement with the previous government. However, Dr. Machar indicated that the current administration has not ratified this agreement, rendering their military presence unlawful under the 2018 peace terms.
Since 2018, the UN has enforced an arms embargo on South Sudan, raising concerns regarding the manner in which Ugandan forces entered the region with heavy weaponry. Recently, Uganda deployed special forces amidst increasing fears that South Sudan could relapse into civil war. The Ugandan military chief asserted that the troops were dispatched to help “secure” Juba and support President Salva Kiir. Tensions between President Kiir and Mr. Machar have intensified as the power-sharing agreement experiences challenges, with recent clashes reported.
In summary, Dr. Riek Machar has urgently appealed to the UN, AU, and IGAD to address the unlawful military presence of Ugandan forces in South Sudan. He has outlined critical violations of international agreements and cautioned that these actions jeopardize the fragile peace established in 2018. With rising tensions between opposing factions and recent military actions occurring, the calls for intervention and mediation from prominent international bodies are more critical than ever to ensure stability in the region.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
