S. Sudan opposition youths say UPDF pull out will aid peace implementation
October 21, 2015 (KAMPALA) -The youth wing of South Sudan’s armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO) have welcomed the withdrawal of Ugandan troops from South Sudan, sayjng the move will boost the implementation of the peace agreement signed in August.
“Our citizens have been hard hit by the situation in the country prior to the genesis of crisis in mid December 2013. The suffering of our people is beyond description and therefore the signed peace deal was unilaterally welcome by the people of South Sudan,” Gatluak told Sudan Tribune.
He said the end of the 22 months of conflicts mediated by the regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will help to restore security, stability and to bring prosperity for sustainable development in the war torn East African country.
The youth, however, said Uganda played an important role in efforts to scale down the war.
According to Gatluak, it was an initiative of Uganda as member of the lGAD countries, to broker the peace deal signed by the armed opposition leader Riek Machar on August 17, and persuaded President Kiir to put his signature on the peace accord nine days later.
“The leadership of the Republic of Uganda has shown a significant process, hoping that they will stand alongside with us to bring stability through the IGAD plus peace implementation,” he said.
Gatluak further claimed the withdrawal of Ugandan troops from South Sudan was likely to reduce egoism from the administration of Presiden Kiir in order to realize that peace would be the only priority to restore unity among the people of South Sudan.
“Today, Ugandan army withdrawal from the country means a lot for the people of South Sudan. No one needs war, but some individual wish to extend the war for decade of years with intentions to loot resources of the country,” stressed the youth wing official.
The group also urged Sudanese rebels groups who allegedly fought alongside South Sudan army in Upper Nile and Unity states to vacate it territory in compliance with the agreement which calls on all foreign forces to leave within 45 days of signing the deal
“The SPLM-IO youth league in Kampala would like to thank the people of Uganda through its government for kindly hosting our people who escaped from the South Sudanese conflicts to seek for protection. We appreciate the government of Uganda for equal treatment [provided], despite their ethnicity backgrounds,” stressed Gatluak.
The youth called called on the international community and the IGAD member states to fully implement the peace deal for South Sudanese to get out of the man-made disaster.
(ST)