Activist pins State on reasons for Museveni’s visit

By Jenifer James

The Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), Ter Manyang Gatwech, has asked the State to avail the true reasons for the visit of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa Kaguta to Juba.

Manyang said in a statement on Thursday that the reasons for Museveni’s itinerary is diversionary from the serious issues affecting the country as it moves closer to brink of renewed conflict.

Mohamed Ramadan Abdalla Goc, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Thursday said the two heads of state discussed strengthening bilateral ties in trade, commerce including achieving peace and security in South Sudan.

However, Manyang said such talk was diversionary from the on-going political tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, which has put the country on the brink of war.

“I think President Museveni purposely is not coming to address the issues that are facing the country,” said Manyang.

 ‘’Which bilateral relations is he talking about, and yet the country is currently at war, I think Museveni is trying to divert from the reality of what is happening in South Sudan,’’ he added.

He said Museveni’s visit should have helped to resuscitate the fragile 2018 peace agreement, which is on the brink of collapse following the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, and several of his allies.

Manyang stressed that Museveni’s visit lacks any significant impact unless it directly addresses the country’s ongoing crisis.

On Thursday, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni visited South Sudan, where he is expected as one of the guarantors of the revitalized peace agreement to mediate peace between rivals President Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar.