South Sudan extends Ugandan army presence for four months

February 3, 2015 (KAMPALA) – South Sudan has renewed a contract, which extends for four additional months Ugandan military presence in the world’s youngest nation.

The signing of the agreement, media reports say, took place between Uganda’s defence minister, Crispus Kiyonga and his South Sudanese counterpart, Gen. Kuol Manyang at Mbuya military headquarters in Kampala Tuesday.

This is reportedly the third time South Sudan asked for an extension of Ugandan army presence in the country, more than a year since they deployed a battalion in support of president Salva Kiir’s government.

It is unclear how the newly signed pact between Kampala and Juba will be perceived by South Sudan’s armed opposition faction, which inked a power-sharing agreement with government on Monday. The rebels are strongly opposed to Ugandan army presence in South Sudan.

The two warring sides also agreed to immediately cease military hostilities. In the past, however, both sides have violated the ceasefire deal despite several threats for sanctions.

In October last year, South Sudan government signed a long-term agreement on military cooperation with Uganda, which reportedly allows the latter to purchase weapons on half of the young nation in addition to providing necessary technological support.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced as a result of South Sudanese conflict, which is estimated to cost the country between $22-28 million if it continues over the next one to five years.

(ST)