Uganda to host South Sudan retreat

President Yoweri Museveni has said that the South Sudan government and all stakeholders must work towards holding elections in order to have sustainable peace.

“If South Sudan wants peace they must work for free elections. The actors must concentrate on treating the population well. I am pleased and agree with the proposal for the South Sudan retreat to be hosted in Uganda. The people of South Sudan are tired of the war,” he said.

The President was on Thursday meeting a delegation representing South Sudan, Kenya, Britain, Norway and the United States of America on the revitalised agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan.

Kenya was represented by the special envoy to South Sudan, Dr Kalonzo Musyoka, while South Sudan was represented by the Minister of the Presidency, Benjamin Mariel. The British delegation was led by its Ambassador in Juba, Jonny Baxter, the Norwegian special envoy to South Sudan Endre Stiansen and the USA Charge de Affairs based in Juba, David Renz.

Museveni observed that the sanctions imposed on the neighbouring country were wrong because they create a vacuum. He called on the leaders and stakeholders to work towards the lifting of the sanctions.

The President said he would be pleased to host the retreat, adding that it was necessary to pass the six pending laws before the end of December. He said that the strategic issue is how to build prosperity for the people of South Sudan.

Museveni said that elections are medicine for peace and stability and emphasised that it is wrong to have power based on arms.

He disclosed that when the UPDF attacked the terrorists in DR Congo early this week, the people of Uganda jubilated because Ugandans are tired of terrorism.

Mariel expressed his condolences to the President upon the loss of lives around Kampala during the recent bomb explosions.

He said that his government was addressing the peace process through defence, elections and the constitutional process. He called on the international community to lift the embargos imposed on South Sudan.

Musyoka observed that Uganda and Sudan are the guarantors of the peace process in South Sudan.