Uganda sets conditions for new South Sudan rebel faction
November 24, 2014 (JUBA) – The government of neighbouring Uganda has allegedly set numerous conditions before it will recognise the formation of a new South Sudanese rebel group.
The group has reportedly been formed in parallel to the existing rebel faction allied to former vice-president Riek Machar, which has been engaged in an armed struggle with the government since mid-December last year.
A senior military intelligence officer allied to president Salva Kiir claimed the group had been formed with the objective to fight for an Equatoria region.
A source who is yet to be nominated as the spokesperson for the new rebel group told Sudan Tribune on Monday said it was clear that Uganda was reluctant to recognise the group.
“There is something sinister coming from the government of Uganda. They have asked a lot of things. First they asked for manifesto of the movement; They are also asking for the objective of the movement; They have asked opinion of the people of Equatoria. I think this is the work of the government of Salva Kiir,” he said.
However, the rebel source maintained the group was not against the South Sudanese government of the Ugandan people.
“It is a fight for our own rights and dignity,” he said.
Uganda controversially agreed to provide military support to the South Sudanese government to help quash the rebellion and the presence of Ugandan forces in the country has continued to cause tensions.
The source named Martin Kenyi as the overall military commander, but it remains unclear who will lead the political wing of the group or whether Kenyi would assume full control.
“At the moment the military leadership is completed. The other structures will fill up soon. We want first of all to complete the drafting of the manifesto, which will come out soon,” he said.
The emergence of the group has apparently confirmed allegations by government sources of a plan by politicians and former militia members to form a parallel rebellion in the country.
Despite ongoing peace talks in Ethiopia between South Sudan’s warring parties led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), there has yet to be a lasting political settlement to the more than 11-month-long crisis, triggered by political tensions within the country’s ruling party (SPLM).
Thousands have been killed and more than 1.5 million displaced, in a conflict that has reignited tribal tensions and brought the young nation to the brink of famine.
(ST)