South Sudans Kiir Says Uganda Helping to Fight Rebels Wall Street Journal (01/17/14) McGroarty, Patrick South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said on Jan. 15 that Uganda has sent military reinforcements in a conflict that began in December. The United States has a major stake in this conflict, as it has jeopardized the future of South Sudan, which has received more than $600 million in U.S. aid in the past two fiscal years. Both Kenya and Uganda are already involved in trying to end the fighting diplomatically. The United States has bet on South Sudan as a diplomatic ally against Sudans President Omar al-Bashir, who faces charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity for his slaughter of minorities in Sudans Darfur region. It does not hurt that South Sudan is sub-Saharan Africas biggest oil producer after Nigeria and Angola. The fighting has reduced oil production already by 20 percent, potentially crippling both South Sudan and Sudans economies. Kiir hopes with Ugandan support that he can force troops loyal to former vice president Riek Machar to negotiate for an end to the conflict. Ugandan jets have already begun bombing those forces in several towns and are protecting both the airport and the presidential palace.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 20:10:09 +0000
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