President Museveni on Thursday told the warring parties in South Sudan to stop fighting stop and “give peace and democracy a chance”.
The President who was in South Sudan for a one-day official, said the fighting groups should focus on elections due in 2018, not violence.
“I appeal to the Transitional Government, headed by His Excellency Salva Kiir and the other stakeholders, to stop all actions involving insecurity so that people focus on elections as soon as possible,” President Museveni was quoted in statement by issued by State House.
“It’s what people of South Sudan fought for, he said.”
The two presidents, according to the statement, agreed on how to pay Ugandan traders who supplied South Sudan with food items between 2008 and 2010 but have not been paid.
The total amount the South Sudanese government owes the Ugandan companies and individual traders is about Shs365b.
Mr David Bahati, the Ugandan State Minister for Finance in charge of Planning, who accompanied President Museveni to Juba, said the Agreement was struck after a sideline meeting with the South Sudan Finance Minister, Stephen Dhieu Dau.
The details, Mr Bahati said, would be communicated to the responsible parties.
President Museveni has been instrumental in supporting President Kiir’s government especially in December 2013 when fighting between government and the armed opposition led by former Vice President Riek Machar broke out.
During today’s (Thursday) bilateral talks, President Kiir said: “I appreciate his advice. President Museveni has rich experience and we can gain from him. We have covered several issues on our bilateral relations and I will take all advice he’s given to me.”
Earlier, on arrival at Juba International Airport, President Museveni was received by South Sudan Vice President, James Wani Igga before inspecting a guard of honour.
The Daily Mail
UM– USEKE.RW
