Advertisement

Uganda plans South Sudan troops quit

Wednesday February 19 2014

Uganda will withdraw its troops from South Sudan starting April to pave way for the deployment of an African peace-keeping force, foreign affairs minister Sam Kuteesa announced Tuesday.

The armed forces will be replaced by the yet to be formed African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC) forces.

“Uganda has no desire to keep her troops on South Sudan soil longer than it is necessary. It is in that context that Uganda has proposed, and the Government of South Sudan agrees, on the deployment of ACIRC, consistent with the decision of the AU in January last month,” Foreign Affairs minister Sam Kuteesa said.

 “As soon as the ACIRC force comes on board, the 1st contingent of Ugandan forces will return home. I expect this to be in the shortest period of time, which is two months,” said Mr Kuteesa.

The announcement comes just days after the United States, Ethiopia and Khartoum called on Uganda to withdraw its troops from the world’s youngest nation.

Speaking to journalists at the ministry’s headquarters in Kampala on Tuesday, Mr Kuteesa said the AU Peace and Security committee is expected to meet soon to work out modalities for deployment of ACIRC in South Sudan.

Advertisement

“We believe that the deployment of ACIRC is the most logical way to withdraw from South Sudan, without leaving a security vacuum that that can be taken advantage of…” he said.

Countries that have offered to contribute troops to ACIRC include Uganda, Algeria, Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania.

Mr Kuteesa however dismissed claims that Uganda was forced to withdraw from South Sudan by its development partners. “We have not been under any pressure to leave South Sudan but as a regional player, it is prudent that Uganda gives the ACIRC measure a chance.”

READ: Behind Uganda’s defiance of Igad, US on South Sudan

Meanwhile, rebel forces in South Sudan Tuesday launched a major assault against the key oil-hub of Malakal, witnesses and officials said.

READ: South Sudan rebels launch major attack on key oil town

Aid sources said small arms fire could be heard inside the town after a dawn artillery battle outside the government-held capital of Upper Nile state. The government admitted that the rebels controlled some parts of the town.

Fighting is still continuing.

Advertisement