Addis Ababa, July 21, 2014 (SSNA) — A high level delegation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-O) arrived at the Entebbe International Airport early Monday to meet Uganda’s Museveni; but the Ugandan government refused to receive the delegation at Uganda’s main airport, Entebbe.
Many regional observers said Uganda’s refusal to receive South Sudanese anti-government delegation at its own airport raises more questions than answers.
The rebels call Kampala’s hasty move a "humdrum", adding that they are not surprised.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday by James Gatdet Dak, the Spokesperson for the leadership of the SPLM-in Opposition, Dak criticizes Ugandan authorities and questions the real intention behind Yoweri Museveni’s desire to have a face-to-face meeting with the South Sudanese rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar.
“The attitude demonstrated by the Ugandan leadership has clearly indicated that President Museveni is not serious to dialogue with our leadership. Maybe the Ugandan leadership had a different intention. Maybe they didn’t like the fact that the mission to Kampala was made known to the world through media”, Mr. Dak said.
Dak also declared that Ugandan President is best known for his deceptive approaches.
“Kampala used to mislead the IGAD member countries that it wanted to dialogue with the leadership of the Movement, contrary to the reality which is now unveiled”, he recalls.
Meanwhile, the rebel delegation had decided to return to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, after nearly one day at the airport.
South Sudan’s rebels, regional leaders, and the international community want Kampala to withdraw its soldiers from South Sudan—a call Museveni refuses.
The South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) has learned that the Ugandan president is the one who asked to meet with Former South Sudanese Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and also gave a green light for Machar’s delegation to meet him in Kampala.
Museveni has in the past unsuccessfully tried numerous times to meet South Sudan’s rebels’ leader Machar, the SSNA has confirmed.