“As I speak now, the Chief of Land Forces Maj. Let Uganda leave as it is the case in the peace pact”, Duop Chak Wuol, the Editor-in-Chief of the US-based South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) wrote on his social media page on Monday. “This is because it’s not a question of running away but a matter of organized withdrawal”.
Advertisement
The posting will also see Koreta offer advice to the IGAD and UNMISS teams on the handling of transitional security arrangements, which include demilitarization of the capital Juba, cantonment of soldiers and the integration of rebel forces into the South Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Kampala sent columns of soldiers into its neighbour in late 2013 to prop up the government of President Salva Kiir soon after clashes erupted with troops loyal to South Sudan’s sacked vice president Riek Machar. It now has a reinforced brigade of up to 3,000 troops there.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed by South Sudan’s conflict and 2 million have been displaced, according to the United Nations. Observers have always been concerned the Ugandan intervention may jeopardise the peace process, but the withdrawal of Ugandan troops will fulfil commitments made in the peace deal.
The government spokesman denied claims that President Kiir’s decision violates the terms and the spirit of the agreement signed with the rebels in August.
After another delay Kiir signed the deal on August 27, 2015, long after Machar had done so.
The demilitarisation of government-held Juba to allow the return of Machar and his rebel entourage is a key provision of the peace agreement.
Advertisement
IGAD also called on the worldwide community to give technical and financial support to the two sides in South Sudan’s conflict so that they are able to implement the peace deal. All failed amid either side accusing the other of breaching cease-fires.
