South Sudan violence threat to regional peace, warns Kenya

Displaced South Sudanese citizens wait with their belongings after arriving at a Sudanese border checkpoint in Joda, where Sudan's White Nile state meets the South's Upper Nile, after fleeing battles between rebel and government forces on January 16, 2014. Photo/ASHRAF SHAZLY  AFP

By Lucas Barasa Daily Nation

Posted  Friday, January 17  2014 at  10:03

In Summary

• A confidential dossier prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses concern that Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda could all get entangled in the conflict.
• The report details the factors hampering the peace talks following the visit of a mediation team to Dr Machar’s base in Jonglei State.
• The brief warns that the South Sudan conflict is getting “internationalised” and likely to draw more countries intervening in support of either of the parties.

• Why Juba-rebels meeting failed
• After the guns go silent, a new political order for both Sudans and their relations with the West to emerge
• EA split over military intrusion in South Sudan as talks flounder

Kenya fears that the war in South Sudan could escalate into a major international conflict.

A confidential dossier prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses concern that Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda could all get entangled in the conflict.

The report notes that the ongoing peace talks in Addis Ababa under the auspices of Igad were not seen as neutral because Ugandan troops had entered South Sudan to support President Salva Kiir against his arch-rival, former Vice-President Riek Machar.

READ: Museveni reveals Uganda combat role in South Sudan

There were also concerns that Rwanda was preparing to send troops to join the Ugandans in fighting alongside South Sudan army.

READ: Rwanda sends troops to CAR, South Sudan to repair image

The report details the factors hampering the peace talks following the visit of a mediation team to Dr Machar’s base in Jonglei State.

Dr Machar rejected proposals for a ceasefire because he did not see Igad as neutral following Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s military intervention.

He told the delegation that his forces had killed 50 Ugandan soldiers in a January 10 battle for the bridge linking Juba and Bor towns.

Speaking elsewhere Thursday, President Museveni admitted that Ugandan troops have been killed in action in South Sudan.

READ: Ugandan troops killed in South Sudan

Dr Machar accused President Kiir of starting the conflict, saying, the fighting started after 35 of his bodyguards were disarmed and killed. He also told the delegation that President Kiir had recruited 4,000 soldiers without the knowledge of the military.

The brief warns that the South Sudan conflict is getting “internationalised” and likely to draw more countries intervening in support of either of the parties.

READ: US issues stern warning on South Sudan conflict

It looks at concerns expressed by Sudan over the Ugandan involvement, particularly President Omar Al-Bashir’s fears that President Museveni is intent on forcing a regime change in his country.