S. Sudan rebels say they don’t fear government threats in Kampala

September 23, 2014 (KAMPALA) – Senior officials from South Sudan’s rebel faction says they are not afraid of the consequences of opening up an office in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, despite recent renewed fighting between their forces and government troops loyal to president Salva Kiir.

David Otim a leading rebels diplomatic representative to Kampala, says Juba may be panicking about the newly established office in Uganda, but added that this would not stop them operating in the country.

“I take serious precaution, but we should not fear; we don’t fear because we know what we are pursuing is the goal worth,” said Otim.

He argued that president Kiir lacks popular support in Uganda, accusing him of instigating the killing of 20,000 ethnic Nuers in Juba after the country erupted in violence mid-December last year.

The senior rebel official claims he has more popular support from the people of Uganda than the South Sudanese president.

“I look at Kampala or Uganda as my second home. I study here, I did my secondary school here, university and graduate school here. We have been here for quite a long time, [but] Salva Kiir just came here in December around 15 (in 2013). I have been a friend of Uganda for quite a long time,” he said.

Rebels announced the opening of the office on Monday, saying its aim is to promote relations between the rebel group and the Ugandan government.

The office will coordinate diplomatic relations, as well as humanitarian, peace and reconciliation initiatives in Uganda aimed at realising a peaceful and sustainable solution to South Sudan’s ongoing crisis.

Speaking to journalists in Kampala on Monday, Otim said the initiative was the result of face to face talks last month between the Ugandan government and representatives of the opposition group.

Oyet Nathaniel Pierino a former professor from Juba University and the current chairman of the rebel faction’s committee for political mobilisation, said the Ugandan government had well-established laws that he believe will protect them against any threats.

“We have the government that is well established with all law-enforcing agencies and the security. They are here to protect Ugandan and non-Ugandans,” he said.

“We are just like any other Ugandan who is a resident in Uganda,” added Pierino.

He has accused the Juba government of continuing to encroach on Ugandan territory, saying several attempts had been to hunt down South Sudanese refugees who fled to Uganda after the conflict erupted.

In July South Sudanese refugees resettled in Uganda’s Kiryandongo camps accused the South Sudanese government of interfering in the affairs of refugees in Uganda, claiming that a South Sudanese security agent was arrested by Ugandan officials, but was later released without charge.

“All these we already raised with [the] Ugandan government. That is the purpose for our establishment of the office; to guarantee security for our people,” said Pierino.

(ST)