Machar in his letter calls on the UN to intervene on Ugandan troops
Brwon land
South Sudan’s first vice president, Dr Riek Machar, has called on the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on development (IGAD) to intervene over the Ugandan military presence in the country, warning that it could threaten the fragile peace agreement signed in 2018.
In a letter dated March 23, seen by tamazug radio, Machar accused Uganda of violating international agreements by deploying its troops without the consent of the transitional government in South Sudan.
The letter was addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Commissioner of the peace and Security Council of the African Union Bankole Adewoye, IGAD President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who also serves as president of Djibouti.
Machar, who leads the main opposition (SPLM/A – IO), said that the Ugandan presence is a violation of the 2018 activated peace agreement (R-ARCSS), which provides for the withdrawal of all foreign troops. He cited violations of articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7, as well as the 2017 ceasefire agreement.
The letter also accused Uganda of carrying out air strikes in Upper Nile and Jonglei states, targeting civilians, according to the allegations.the Ugandan government has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Machar warned that the situation could hinder South Sudan’s delayed transition to democracy, calling for mediation by the UN Security Council, the African Union and IGAD.
“Uganda was a key guarantor of the peace agreement. We expected President [Yoweri] Museveni to support its implementation, not undermine it.”
Uganda first sent its troops to South Sudan in 2014 under a bilateral agreement with the previous government. Machar explained that the current administration has not ratified the agreement, which makes the presence of Ugandan troops illegal according to the 2018 agreement.
The UN has been imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan since 2018, raising questions about how Ugandan troops could enter with heavy weapons.
Two weeks ago, Uganda deployed Special Forces amid growing fears that South Sudan was sliding back into civil war.
The Ugandan army chief of Staff said troops had been sent to” secure”Juba and” support ” President Salva Kiir. Tensions between President Salva Kiir and Machar have escalated as the power-sharing agreement has faltered, with recent clashes reported.
