S. Sudan’s armed opposition set up youth office in Kampala

September 29, 2015 (KAMPALA) – A delegation of five members from South Sudan’s armed opposition youth committee, allied to South have established an office in Kampala to update South Sudanese students in Uganda on the peace implementation.

Steve Gatluak, the deputy secretary general for opposition’s national youth committee said their mission was to update youth in Kampala on the peace deal.

He said they intend to organise the SPLM youth league leadership in Uganda chapter, ahead of upcoming peace implementation effort to the people of South Sudan to return the country to normal.

It is important for the youth to be informed for their full participations, Gatluak said.

He further observed that the 21-month old conflicts divided South Sudanese along ethnic lines, adding that youth were potentially capable of bringing unity among the population.

“We believe the youth in this country whether abroad or living within the country, by bringing them together shall promote everlasting peace, unity and harmony,” he added.

He said communities were very important in helping people understand one another and encourage people to work together for the unity of the population in the young nation.

Last month, the South Sudanese armed opposition leader held face to face discussions with the Ugandan president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Sudanese capital, Khartoum over recently signed peace agreements.

Gatluak said the Khartoum meeting between Machar and Museveni sorted out all grievances that existed especially after Uganda militarily backed the government in Juba.

“The meeting between our chairman Dr. Riek Machar and the Ugandan president H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Khartoum thrashed out the political differences proving out strong ties with him,” he stressed.

Gatluak said the issue of Uganda’s withdrawal of its troops was not contentious, but the recently signed peace deal, which Uganda witnessed as an IGAD member state, put it clear to all foreign troops to leave South Sudan within 42 days of the agreement.

The youth, Gatluak said, will inform South Sudanese in Uganda as well as those in the diaspora on how they can work out the process of reconciliation in the country.

DISMISSES INTERNAL FIGHTS WITHIN SPLM-IO

Meanwhile, Gatluak denied reports of internal disputes within the opposition youth group.

The armed opposition youth league leadership in Kampala comprises at the helm of a chairperson, deputy chairman, secretary general, among many other elective positions.

(ST)