JUBA – South Sudan’s authorities confirmed on Monday that it has deployed Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) ‘technical and support’ models within the capital Juba, reversing an earlier denial.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth instructed reporters on the ministry that the deployment was based mostly on a pre-existing army pact between the 2 nations, initially established to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
“The UPDF is present here in Juba because the government of South Sudan and the government of Uganda have a military pact,” Makuei stated.
He clarified that his earlier denial stemmed from the misidentification of an airport in a video shared by Ugandan General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. But Sudans Post had geolocated footages of Ugandan forces to Juba worldwide airport final week.
Makuei who can also be the federal government spokesman emphasised that the army pact permits for the mutual protection of “people, government, and territorial integrity,” dismissing criticism of the deployment.
The affirmation followed statements by Kainerugaba, who stated on social media platform X that UPDF particular forces had arrived in Juba to offer safety help to President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s administration.
He asserted that any menace to Kiir can be thought-about a “declaration of war against Uganda.”
Uganda’s military spokesman, Felix Kulaije, additionally confirmed the deployment, stating the forces have been despatched to defend the South Sudanese authorities.
Makuei had beforehand denied the UPDF presence, arguing that Kainerugaba’s statements have been contradictory.
Makuei warned the White Army, an armed civilian group that the South Sudan authorities has related to First Vice President Riek Machar’s SPLA-IO, to depart Nasir County in Upper Nile State or face army motion.
He additionally known as on regional our bodies, the United Nations, and the worldwide neighborhood to sentence the White Army and designate it a “terrorist organisation.”