South Sudan rebel delegation arrives in Kampala

August 18, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – A high level delegation of the opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-In-Opposition) has arrived in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, for talks with the Ugandan top leadership on the fate of Uganda army deployed in South Sudan.

This is the second attempt by the rebels delegation after the first visit was thwarted as Ugandan authorities failed to receive them in June, prompting them to return to Addis Ababa.

Both sides blamed the failure of the visit on poor coordination and communication.

However, rebels spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune that the delegation left Addis Ababa on Monday morning and arrived Kampala at noon.

“A high level delegation led by the deputy chairman General Alfred Ladu Gore has arrived in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on Monday,” Dak said.

He added that they will hold talks with the Kampala leadership on the withdrawal of Ugandan forces from South Sudan and Uganda support to the peace process.

Uganda has sent thousands of troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships and fight alongside Salva Kiir’s government.

The rebel group has accused Uganda of fuelling the war and demanded the withdrawal of its troops.

Fighting erupted in mid-December between Kiir’s forces and rebels led by the former vice-president Riek Machar when the internal conflict in the ruling party turned violent.

(ST)