With just one day to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voting on South Sudan arms embargo, President Yoweri Museveni made an unannounced trip to Juba to hold talks with embattled leader Salva Kiir.
UPDATE: Museveni, Salva Kiir defeat Americans as UN Security Council rejects arms embargo
Museveni’s visit to South Sudan comes just three days after UN Secretary-General Ban ki-moon gave a chilling warning to the 15-member council, saying genocide is about to start in South Sudan.
President Museveni’s senior press secretary, Don Wanyama told TheUgandan that the two leaders held bilateral talks on issues of mutual interest to their countries.
“It was a private meeting. There are not many things to disclose for now,” Mr Wanayama told our reporter.
US ambassador to UN Samantha Power on Monday told the Security Council the resolution is about “life-and-death” and urged council members to stand with the people of South Sudan.
Instead, Kiir is working aggressively to get enough countries needed to stop the impending arms embargo resolution. Kiir is believed to have made an SOS call to his mentor and longtime friend President Museveni to help his ailing government counter the United States’ move and make sure the Americans do not get enough votes.
President Museveni has been very active in the South Sudan conflict since it erupted a few years back. Since then, the UPDF has provided the government in Juba with advisors and logistical support.
Museveni could be afraid of losing this influence were Machar to take power, Paul Omach, an expert on security studies at Makerere University says, adding that such overt partisanship is risky, because it is not clear who will ultimately take control of the country.
“I appreciate his advice. President Museveni has rich experience and we can gain from him. We have covered several issues and I will take all advice he’s given to me,” said President Kiir said about Mr Museveni’s one-day official visit.
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