The Uganda Parliament approved the deployment of UPDF to South Sudan weeks after forces were sent without authorization. The security situation in South Sudan is precarious, marked by arrests of political figures and ongoing conflict. Defense Minister Oboth Oboth articulated the legal basis for deployment and the necessary military support requested by South Sudan’s President Kiir to prevent a security catastrophe. Lawmakers expressed consensus that peace in South Sudan correlates with peace in Uganda.
On Thursday, the Parliament of Uganda sanctioned the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to South Sudan, a decision made weeks after the forces were sent without prior parliamentary authorization, rendering the action illegal. The deteriorating security situation in South Sudan has raised alarms, suggesting the nation is on the brink of renewed conflict, particularly in light of ongoing violations of the 2018 peace agreement, the Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The current unrest follows the arrest of key political figures, including the deputy army chief and two ministers, which has been condemned as a serious breach of the peace agreement. These arrests coincided with clashes in the Upper Nile state involving government troops and the White Army militia, which has historical ties with Vice President Riek Machar amid ongoing tensions between Machar and President Salva Kiir since the civil war erupted in 2013.
The Ugandan government dispatched troops to South Sudan without parliamentary consent amidst escalating violence in Juba, where accusations of a coup against President Kiir were thrown by him towards Machar, who denied these allegations. Subsequently, Defense Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth presented a motion to Parliament to formalize the UPDF’s deployment under a pre-existing Memorandum of Understanding regarding defense cooperation between the two nations.
Oboth Oboth emphasized that the deployment stems from a request by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir for urgent military assistance as the situation posed a significant threat to regional security. He referenced legislation, including Section 49 of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces Act, as a basis for this deployment. He explained that the ongoing security challenges could have far-reaching consequences for Uganda and the broader region.
The Minister reiterated Uganda’s historical commitment to providing military support across Africa, elucidating that the unilateral action taken by President Museveni was aligned with constitutional and statutory requirements. “The deployment of the UPDF in South Sudan was also done in a spirit of brotherhood, solidarity, security of Uganda and the economy, as well as the shared historical and regional ties between Uganda and South Sudan,” stressed Oboth Oboth.
Support for the motion was also expressed by members of Parliament, citing community backing for the deployment due to its positive implications for regional peace. Gilbert Oulanya, a lawmaker from Kilak South, remarked that promoting peace in South Sudan inherently benefits Ugandan stability, emphasizing the interdependence of peace between the two nations.
The Parliament of Uganda has approved the deployment of the UPDF to South Sudan amidst rising tensions and potential for renewed conflict. This decision, aligning with previous military agreements, aims to stabilize security in the region following significant arrests within South Sudan’s leadership. The Ugandan government maintains that such military interventions are essential for safeguarding peace and enhancing regional stability, according to both the Minister of Defense and supporting lawmakers who recognize the strategic importance of this deployment.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
