...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...'s government confirmed the presence of Ugandan troops in the country on Monday, citing a military agreement between the two nations for technical support, training, and maintaining peace and stability.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth told a news conference that the government acknowledged the presence of Ugandan troops to dispel rumours circulating in the media and other sources.
''One of the reasons I called this presser is to update you about the general situation, and one of them is the presence of the Ugandan People's Defence Forces (UPDF). It is present here in Juba, and you have seen it,'' Lueth, the government front man, said.
Lueth, a long-time ally of President Salva Kiir, justified the presence of Ugandan troops despite provisions in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement that calls for the country to be free of foreign forces.
''Why is it present here in Juba? They are present because the government of Uganda and the government of South Sudan have a military pact that dates back to the time of the Lord's Resistance® Army,'' he said. ''This is the same pact which is continuing. We have not nullified it, but we use it when necessary. So, the UPDF that arrived here in Juba are the support and technical units. They have come to support their brothers and sisters in the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF).''
He said the presence of Ugandan troops was no longer a secret, even though it should have been confidential for security reasons.