Uganda Press Release on South Sudan and implications @ 20th December

The government of Uganda has put out a press release for its citizens in response to the conflict in South Sudan.

Whilst the majority of the press release advises Ugandan nationals inside South Sudan on safety measures to follow, it also states the following:

“Information available to the Government of Uganda indicates the Government of South Sudan is in control…The Government of Uganda maintains a neutral stance to the conflict in South Sudan and calls for restraint from the parties involved…Meanwhile, the UPDF has been deployed to monitor developments at Uganda’s border with South Sudan to prevent any possible spill over of hostilities into Ugandan territory”

Despite the claim by Uganda that it is taking a “neutral stance” in the conflict, SPLA military intelligence confirms that it is receiving assistance from “its friends”. This includes troops and large military assets, which include at least 4 helicopter gunships. The gunships are already airborne.

Ugandan President Yoweri Musevni, over the past year, has faced his own coup threats from within the UDF’s high command.

UDF Four star General David Sejusa fled to the UK in May, after criticizing the President for allegedly grooming his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba to take over once Museveni dies or leaves power.

Salva Kiir is in a similar position as he attempts to consolidate power by way of avoiding internal party reform and delaying elections in 2015.

For these reasons, whether overtly or covertly, the Ugandan military is expected to back an SPLA led by Salva Kiir.

It is confirmed, although the exact numbers are unknown, that Ugandan troops are already inside South Sudan in more than one area. Definitely they are already in Western Equatoria. I have seen them.

I also have knowledge that Ethiopia played a role in the Jonglei disarmament campaign, with troops inside South Sudan. This information was confirmed by a Dinka working directly with Ethiopian forces in the Jonglei disarmament campaign by sealing off the border of eastern Jonglei near Boma (heart of the Murle insurgency) and the Gambella region of Ethiopia. He and the Ethiopians were pursuing armed Murle peoples.