Parliament Approves Deployment of UPDF to Support Stability in South Sudan
The Ugandan Parliament approved the deployment of UPDF to South Sudan after a prior unauthorized move. The security situation in South Sudan is unstable, with violations of the peace agreement persisting. Minister Jacob Oboth emphasized the necessity of the deployment for regional stability and outlined previous cooperative agreements between Uganda and South Sudan. Local support for the initiative aligns with a broader commitment to ensuring peace in the region.
On Thursday, the Parliament of Uganda sanctioned the deployment of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) to South Sudan following an initial unauthorized deployment that raised concerns about legality. The security conditions in South Sudan are precarious, with breaches of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict worsening the situation.
Recently, security forces in South Sudan detained key military and political figures, including the deputy army chief and two ministers allied with Vice President Riek Machar. This development was denounced by opposition representatives as a serious breach of the peace agreement, exacerbating existing tensions in the region following previous conflicts.
Notably, Uganda’s Defense Minister, Jacob Oboth Oboth, presented a motion to Parliament endorsing military support to South Sudan, highlighting a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation. Such an agreement is enshrined in Section 49 of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces Act, allowing for external troop deployments under bilateral arrangements with other nations.
Minister Oboth emphasized the link between security developments in South Sudan and potential threats to Uganda’s stability, claiming that unrest in South Sudan could destabilize Uganda socially, politically, and economically. He referenced a request from South Sudanese President Salva Kiir for urgent military assistance to prevent a looming security disaster in the nation.
The Defense Minister underscored that the deployment was in line with Uganda’s commitment to supporting regional stability and was executed in a spirit of solidarity and shared historical ties between the two nations. He noted that previous UPDF interventions had helped stabilize regions under conflict.
Additionally, Gilbert Oulanya, a member of Parliament from Kilak South, expressed support for the UPDF’s deployment, arguing that stability in South Sudan is intrinsically tied to peace in Uganda. His remarks reinforced the notion that effective intervention could serve the greater good of the region.
In conclusion, the Ugandan Parliament’s approval of the UPDF’s deployment to South Sudan follows a critical assessment of the precarious security situation there. Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth reiterated that this intervention aligns with Uganda’s historical commitment to maintaining regional stability while addressing potential threats to its own borders. The endorsement from local Parliament members further underscores the significance of peace in South Sudan for the stability of Uganda and the broader region.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
