Uganda says Machar telling lies on jet bombing rebel positions in Jonglei
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December 30, 2013 (KAMPALA) - A Ugandan minister has described as
‘‘unfortunate’’ accusations against Uganda by former South Sudan vice
president Riek Machar that a Ugandan jet bombed positions of forces
loyal to him in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state.
JPEG - 97.6 kb
South Sudan Vice-President Riek Machar speaking to population in
Walgak, Akobo county, on February 17 2013 (ST)
Bor fell into hands of renegade Sudan People’s Liberation soldiers
loyal to the Machar after what the South Sudanese president Salva Kiir
said was a failed coup attempt by his former deputy.
The town was last week retaken by the South Sudan army, with the
assistance of aerial bombardment from a Ugandan MiG-29 jet, according
to Machar.
Uganda’s minister of State International Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem
denies the accusations.
‘‘If true [that Machar accused Uganda], it’s unfortunate that Machar
is making such an allegation. We have tolerated and been patient with
him. He [Machar] should look back before he makes such an
allegations,’’ said Henry Okello Oryem in an interview with Sudan
Tribune on Monday without explaining how Uganda had been patient or
tolerated the former South Sudan vice president.
Uganda has in the past few years bolstered its air force with the
acquisition of six Russian made Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter jets at a cost
of $740m. The Ugandan military denies its jets have been involved in
fighting Machar’s forces.
MUSEVENI MEDIATOR IN SOUTH SUDAN?
Ugandan officials claimed shortly after fighting broke out between
rival factions within the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), that
Museveni had had a phone discussion with Ban Ki moon in which the
United Nations boss asked him to mediate the conflict in South Sudan.
“The UN-Secretary General had a telephone conversation with Mr
Museveni and asked him to intervene to find a political solution (to
the South Sudan crisis),” Uganda’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson Fred
Opolot told a media briefing in Kampala.
But increasingly Museveni is not seen as neutral in the political
crisis in South Sudan.
On Monday he told journalists on a visit to the South Sudan capital,
Juba, that East African countries had agreed to ‘‘go for him
[Machar]’’ if he fails to respond to the cessation of hostilities by
the South Sudan government.
A communiqué released by the office of the Kenyan president Uhuru
Kenyatta , which the Sudan Tribune has seen says if Machar does not
respond to the cessation of hostilities by the South Sudan government
‘‘the summit would take further measures.’’
The statement does not explains what is meant by ‘‘further measures’’
but it is widely believed to mean military action.
It is not clear whether other East African countries would be willing
to commit troops to fight reengages SPLA soldiers as much as Uganda
which has its military footprint in the entire great lakes region and
even Somalia.
IF SOUTH SUDAN PROSPERS, UGANDA ALSO PROSPERS
There are fears among Ugandans that the perceived role of their
country in the South Sudan crisis, which leans towards president Kiir,
could lead to hostilities against Ugandan nationals in South Sudan
among a section of people in the country.
Henry Okello Oryem, Uganda’s International Affairs minister dismisses
such fears saying ‘‘if South Sudan prospers, Uganda also prospers,’’
and that no country had sacrificed as much as Uganda for peace in
South Sudan.
‘‘No other country in Africa has sacrificed as much for the liberation
of South Sudan as Uganda. Uganda sacrificed her own children, her own
blood for the liberation of South Sudan. South Sudanese should
appreciate this. The same Uganda cannot destroy South Sudan.’’
UGANDAN ARMY DEPLOYED ALONG JUBA - NIMULE ROUTE
On Saturday Uganda said it had deployed troops from along the road
from Juba to Nimule at the Ugandan border to facilitate the evacuation
of its citizens caught by fighting in Bor.
‘‘UPDF [Uganda People’s Defence Forces] deployed between in Juba and
Nimule so our people can come back home safely. Anybody who tampers
with that operation will be punished mercilessly,’’ minister Oryem
said.
Last week Uganda sent a dozen buses to evacuate 1,550 of its citizens
stranded at the UN base in Bor. Most of them have returned home
voluntarily but some have decided to remain in South Sudan because the
investments they have in South Sudan.
(ST)
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