{UAH} Machar Speaks Out On UPDF Meddling In S.Sudan

By Honeywell Dickens Okello

"We don't have a problem with Uganda as a country but we have a problem with it's a leader who uses innocent soldiers for his personal interests," Machar posted on his social media, Twitter account. It is for the same reason (presence of UPDF) that the rebels have delayed to agree to a ceasefire and to sign the cessation of hostilities, although the final draft has been produced and readied for signing. "We are committed to a ceasefire. But only when UPDF mercenaries leave South Sudan and detainees are released," Machar notes, although Kiir insists that the detainees committed crimes against the state and have to be tried in courts of law. "Opening a legal case against the detained in a court that denied Pagan Amum his constitutional right is a tactic by government to delay ceasefire. Salva Kiir and the court cannot be differentiated. Thus the right of the detainees would be compromised. We want them released." Building on those two conditions, Machar observes that the government of President Salva Kiir and the Kampala government are to blame for delaying the ceasefire and orchestrating more fighting in the country. "There has never been a one sided approach to a ceasefire. Unless the mediators don't really mean to bring an issue to an end," he pursues in reference to President Kiir's insistence on not releasing political detainees and the IGAD's failure to push for the withdraw of Ugandan troops from South Sudan. The whole problem with the peace talks is that they are one-sided, according to him. "We commit to peaceful negotiations where both sides' opinions are respected. Salva Kiir's side aren't willing to come to that term." "We have moved from some preconditions we set prior to this peace talk, that gesture must be returned with Kiir releasing the detainees." "We are committed to talks as the only way to end this. But Kiir and his government must show willingness to bring an end to the crisis," he points out. He feels that the government of President Kiir has long failed its people and hence needs to be kicked out. "The three Comrades' case should have been opened long before this problem begins. Doing it now is a diversion from the truth. We want them all out." He further blames President Kiir for "killing" the SPLM party and working towards a one-man rule since (together with now political detainees), they had pushed for reforms and democratisation of the party, something that resulted into their being hunted down and consequent detentions. "You can't be trusted to steer a ship to safety when you are the architect of its collapse." In reference to the president and his coup allegations, Machar continues: "No one knows what his plans are when he started this and no South Sudanese will trust him in bringing it under control". As for the claims of rebels "killing" civilians, Machar clarifies: "We didn't target any civilians in Bor. Salva and his group shouldn't use cheap shots to run away from atrocities they committed in Juba". "If you didn't understand the arranged cleansing of a one ethnic group on December 15, you won't understand this mass uprising of soldiers." He (Machar) only aspires to a South Sudan where "children go to school without fear" and everyone has full democratic rights since that is what he has been fighting for ever since the South Sudan conflict broke out. Meanwhile, the IGAD envoys planned trip to Juba to finalise with President Kiir now hangs in balance yet the cessation of hostilities which was agreed on not long ago, has not yet been signed. 
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 individuals, the military or otherwise, is to put the people in charge  - Capt. Thomas. Sankara {RIP} '1949-1987

 *"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent

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