Uganda, Sudan not part of regional forces deployment to South Sudan
August 11, 2016 (JUBA) – Uganda has revealed that its troops will not take part in the proposed deployment of a third party regional force to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, Ugandan media has revealed.
General Katumba who did not give reasons told legislators that Uganda and Sudan have decided to “excuse” themselves from the deployment that was called for in the summit of the IGAD heads of state and governmet Heads of Summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last week.
Last week, Sudanese officials in Khartoum said that Bashir had refused during IGAD meeting on the South Sudan to participate in the African force to be deployed in the South Sudanese capital.
The 27th African Union assembly in Kigali, Rwanda late last month resolved that Uganda, Sudan, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Kenya should contribute a regional force to South Sudan which following the renewed fighting in Juba.
“The UPDF and SAF are not going to deploy in South Sudan. We had a meeting and decided among ourselves not to deploy but the rest of the countries can go ahead,” General Katumba was quoted in local Ugandan media.
It is not clear what brought about the latest change for Uganda and Sudan to pull out from the deployment in Juba.
Kampala is seen to be in support of the mainstream SPLA under President Salva Kiir while Khartoum is accused to be supporting the armed opposition faction under the leadership of former First Vice President, Riek Machar.
Only Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda are going to send their troops to the world’s youngest nation.
General Katumba however added that both Uganda and Sudan are going to be readily available to provide support in other areas including the use their facilities like airports in the two countries.
(ST)