Sudan, Uganda agree to form joint security mechanism
February 10, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan and Uganda agreed to form a joint mechanism to implement a security agreement on the presence of rebel groups in both countries, a Sudanese official announced in Khartoum Tuesday.
On Monday, state minister at the Sudanese foreign ministry, Obeid-Allah Mohamed Obeid-Allah, declared from Kampala, that Museveni informed them about the expulsion of Sudanese rebel leaders from his country.
Following the return of the vice-president and the important security delegation from Kampala, Obeid-Allah told reporters in Khartoum that they agreed to form a technical security committee from both sides to discuss the implementation of security and military issues.
He further added that the visit of the Sudanese delegation to Uganda “set a new path for bilateral relations that would make a remarkable breakthrough in the days ahead”.
On the issue of the Sudanese rebels , the state minister praised the expulsion of some rebel leaders from Uganda.
“This is a good gesture from them (the Ugandan authorities), but there are other elements still existing (in Uganda) and we want their expulsion too,” he added.
The state minister who was part of the delegation did not disclose the names of rebel leaders who are still in Kampala or those who left the country effectively.
During the past years, Sudanese officials accused Kampala of harbouring and training rebel groups from Darfur region, Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. Khartoum conducted a regional and international campaign claiming that the Ugandan government was hindering efforts to achieve peace in Sudan.
On the other hand, Uganda accused Sudan of supporting the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. During the past years, Museveni personally accused Khartoum of harbouring them in Darfur region.
However, Obeid Allah told reporters that Museveni told them he “knows that Sudan now has nothing to do with the LRA rebels, who are in Central African Republic”.
This phrase of president Museveni pushed the visiting delegation to “refrain from indulging in this matter,” the Sudanese diplomat further said.
The Sudanese delegation extended an official invitation to president Museveni to visit Khartoum.
It was also agreed to convene a meeting of the Sudanese Ugandan ministerial committee and to enhance economic relations between the two countries.
UGANDAN TROOPS IN SOUTH SUDAN
During their meetings in Kampala, the Sudanese state minister disclosed they discussed reports about the presence of 16,000 Ugandan troops in South Sudan near the Sudanese border, adding the Ugandan side denied this claim.
He further added they strongly warned against the deployment of Ugandan troops near the Sudanese border.
“The presence of Ugandan troops on the border would stir up tensions and lead to what may have dire consequences,” he said.
He further said that Sudan would continue to investigate and monitor the situation on the border area.
Experts say the continuation of the inter-South Sudanese war may lead to direct confrontation between Sudan and Uganda in South Sudan.
Abdel Rahman’s delegation included the interior minister and director of the National Security and Intelligence Services (NISS).
(ST)