Sudan peace talks: Machar’ group want Ugandan Forces to withdraw

KAMPALA: Dr Riek Machar’ negotiating team in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa, have described external military intervention in South Sudan an obstacle to the peace deal and urged Uganda to pull out its forces.

In an interview with Daily Monitor on Sunday ahead of the ongoing concord deliberations, Peace and Conflict resolution scholar, Dr Dhieu Mathok Ding Wol, who also doubles as a member of rebel forces negotiating team, said, “it seems the conflict interest is completely misunderstood by the government in Kampala.”

 “Uganda supported the people of South Sudan in their quest for independence. I believe Museveni’s government and the people of Uganda were not supporting an individual, otherwise their support would have died with Dr John Garang.”

He, further, noted they equally had hopes in the peace deal but urged President Salva Kiir’ government not to handle the talks lightly and that any attempt to use force to regain control of the areas under the rebel forces is detrimental to peace to peace and security in the country.

Ugandan government officials yesterday however rubbished the claims saying the rebels either stick to the peace deal or an iron hand “under the context of IGAD” will be used.

The head of government’ information clearing house-Media Center, Ofwono Opondo, maintained: “Uganda is in Sudan to help evacuate its citizens and protect its boarders from any likely infiltration (by another rebel group) during such a time.”

 “It’s not that Uganda urged those people to start fighting. Our country has a lot of interests in a peaceful South Sudan (like addressing the current refugee crisis) so those statements by Machar’ group are outrageous and a scapegoat from the negotiations.”

The Spokesman of the national army, UPDF, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda could not comment on the rebel’ demands saying he was in a meeting, but Mr Opondo emphasised, “Uganda cannot and will not withdraw until peace is realised.”

But Dr Mathok, further noted “the position of President Museveni on the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is affecting even the peace process mediated by IGAD in Addis Ababa. He is an elder brother whose word is heard by all if only he can take a neutral position.”

Uganda maintains a “sizeable” force in Sudan to protect and evacuate its citizens trapped.

President Museveni on December 30 travelled to Juba where he warned that either Dr Machar embraces the ceasefire suggested by President Kiir or face the wrath of the regional forces.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) executive secretary, Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, brokering peace, said “negotiations will focus on two agendas; cessation of hostilities and the question of detainees” arrested in the aftermath of the alleged Coup’ on December 15 which kick started the fighting.

No progress was however reported yesterday (Monday).

The fighting which has descended into ethnic clashes between Kiir’ DInka ethnic group and Machar’ ethnic Nuer, has according to the United Nations humanitarian office, killed at least 1,000 people and displaced 200,000 others.

Dr Mathok also explained that ‘what fighting forces are doing is calling for democracy. “If Museveni is agitated by calls for democracy in South Sudan, then he may be right to interfere.”

Side bar

The head of Sudanese’ government negotiation team, Nhial Deng Nhial, said they would “leave no stone unturned in the search for peaceful resolution” but warned it "must be abundantly clear" government has "an obligation to restore peace and security of the country through all means available."