Updated at 5:10PM, July 21, 2014(Pacific Time)
July 21, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — An SPLM/SPLA delegation will be traveling to Uganda, for the first time since the conflict broke out in December, to meet the Ugandan government, in what the delegation believes would be a historic mission to stabilize the Great Lake region.
According to Dr. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, SPLM/SPLA chairman for National Committee for Political Mobilization, the delegation acknowledges the important of the neighboring Uganda as a principal member of IGAD and a major player in the Great Lake region.
“As the IGAD led peace talks enters a critical stage, the leadership of SPLM/A takes the opportunity of extending its visitation to Uganda. Uganda is one of the principal members of East African community, IGAD and a major player in the great lakes region.” said Prof. Oyet, the former head of Political Science Department at Juba University.
Considering the historical ties between the two countries, Dr. Oyet believes that the sisterly nations must solve their political differences to ease unnecessary tensions between the citizens of the two countries.
“In the spirit of Pan Africanism, this is a great opportunity for the people of the two countries and the Great Lakes region. The overarching suspicion and speculation between the sisterly nations is uncalled for.” The political science emphasizes.
Oyet believes that the recent misunderstanding between the armed opposition, SPLM/SPLA, and the Ugandan government is a work of enemies of the two nations.
“We are one people; we share common history and drink from the same water of the Nile. The political differences and misunderstandings between the SPLM/SPLA and the government of Uganda is the works of the enemies of the two nations.” Oyet said.
“Our people must peacefully coexist together. Political misunderstanding was unprecedented and should not derail the good relationship our people have been enjoying throughout history.” Dr. Oyet continues.
Ugandan government rushed its forces to South Sudan in December, with high expectations to capture Dr. Machar, the former vice president, in just 4 days.
Contrarily, president Museveni found himself between hard rock. He is now accused by the region, including the AU commission, of fueling the conflict in the neighboring state. Many believe that the conflict would rather be solved through political dialogues than through military intervention.
On the other hand, the conflict has hit the Ugandan economy. In addition, Ugandans troops are trapped in conflict that is taking longer than estimated.
Museveni has denied the coup allegation, which fits him against the armed opposition. The president has also promised to withdraw his forces after the IGAD forces are stationed in the country, however, his trouble junior counterpart, Salva Kiir, bows to never see them leave until peace return.
Without the Ugandan forces, many believe that the South Sudan government would order lasix medication have been overthrown, however, Uganda is falling into its own insecurity, economic and political crises. A presidential guard commander has reportedly went missing and minor attacks have claims over 100 lives in less than one week.
President Yoweri Museveni has made attempts to meet Dr. Machar, the SPLM/SPLA chairman, but to no success. Machar who has met the Kenyan president as well as the South African and Djibouti counterparts, will be represented by his deputy, Lt. Gen. Alfred Lado Gore tomorrow.
The delegation will brief the government and the people of Uganda on the root causes of the conflict and how the armed opposition plans to restore peace in the world’s youngest state.
“This visit will clarify to the leadership and the people of Uganda the root causes of the crisis and what happened thereafter. The people’s struggle will also enlighten the leadership of Uganda of our intention to bring peace and prosperity in the country which is mostly needed by the people of the two nations.” Prof Yet reiterates.
Professor Oyet further adds that the visit will give the opposition a chance to comment on false information that has been presented to the Ugandan people to overshadow the cause of the movement.
“We in the SPLM/SPLA believe that the people of Uganda have been victims of negative information and propaganda by some greedy politicians from South Sudan who wanted to tear apart our brotherhood with Ugandans. This visit is historic and is aimed at giving the conflict new direction and adding momentum to the peace process.” Dr. Oyet said.
Government delegations have presented their accounts that include “Machar declaring over the radio” his intentions to overthrown Salva Kiir’s government the following day.
“It was a coup after Machar declaring on the radio that he was going to take over Juba by the evening of December 16, and no doubt about that,” Ateny told journalists in Kampala in February.
In his recent visit to Uganda, James Wani Igga, the vice president, requested the “good Samaritans” to advocate on behave of Juba to tell the world that the rebels only control 10 percent of the country, despite that nearly all the 10 states have been affected by the conflict.
“You have been our good Samaritans; help us tell the world that the rebels only control ten percent of South Sudan. Their demand that President Salva Kiir steps down is unrealistic. It has never happened anywhere in the world where an elected president leaves office just because rebels have demanded so,” said South Sudan Vice President James Wani Iga
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