Uganda’s role in S. Sudan May Derail Peace Talks: Rebels

{{A member of the SPLM in Opposition – a rebel entity that emerged following a split within South Sudan’s ruling party on Thursday claimed his team was less optimistic about prospects of success in the next round peace talks with government.}}

“We believe the forthcoming talks will not bring much progress as long as Ugandan troops continue occupying South Sudan land,” said Bor Gatwech, a lawmaker and humanitarian liaison officer for the SPLM/A in Opposition.

The rebel official, speaking to journalists from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, insisted Uganda removes all its troops from South Sudanese territory and take a neutral position over what he described as an “internal” crisis.

Uganda, a member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has been facilitating talks between South Sudan’s warring parties since early January.

The presence of the Ugandan People Defense Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan was one of the main sticking points in the first round of peace talks, which culminated in a fragile ceasefire deal signed on 23 January.

Kampala’s role in the conflict, rebel official told Sudan Tribune, could disrupt the IGAD brokered peace talks due to resume on 10 February in Addis Ababa.

Despite the truce agreement, however, government forces and rebels have continued fighting in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states where large parts of the military defected to form the SPLM/A in Opposition, led by ex-vice president Riek Machar.

{sudantribune}