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Sudan Order On UPDF Shocks Govt


New Vision (Kampala)


NEWS
6 July 2008
Posted to the web 7 July 2008

By Chris Ocowun and Milton Olupot
Kampala

The order by the South Sudan Government for the UPDF to withdraw from its
territory has come as a shock to the Ugandan Government.

"I don't know what prompted the South Sudan leadership to take such a
decision," security minister Amamba Mbabazi told The New Vision.



"Even if there was anything, we can discuss it and sort it out amicably."

He said the Ugandan army was in South Sudan under an arrangement that was
discussed and agreed upon several years.

"We have had close coordination and cooperation with the Government of South
Sudan and of Sudan and I don't see the reason why this should not continue."

Mbabazi noted that they had not yet received an official communication to
withdraw.

"It is a political decision, something which President Salva Kiir should take
up with President Museveni," he said.

On Friday, South Sudan's Vice-President Riek Machar, while briefing the Council
of Ministers, said Kiir had already instructed the SPLA Chief of Staff, Lt.
General Oyai Deng, to communicate the order to his Ugandan counterpart.

He said the decision was reached on June 7 in the South Sudan Security
Committee meeting, chaired by Kiir.

He explained that there was no operational protocol for the UPDF to stay in
South Sudan since the earlier agreement with the Khartoum government expired in
2006.

Meanwhile, LRA leader Joseph Kony wants the venue of the peace talks to be
shifted to the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Gulu RDC, Walter
Ochora.

Kony called Congolese President Joseph Kabila and briefed him about the
changes, he added.

But the Ugandan Government has ruled out a change of venue or any further
talks.

"Our view is that the talks have been completed and what is remaining now is
for Joseph Kony to sign the final peace agreement," said internal minister
Ruhakana Rugunda, the leader of the Government delegation.


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