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.
A high level delegation of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in Opposition arrived at the Entebbe International Airport early Monday to meet Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni. But the Ugandan government refused to receive the delegation from the airport, according to a story first reported in the South Sudan News Agency.
The rebels call Kampala's 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," said Mr. Dak, "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."
The Spokesperson 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," Dak 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 to accept.
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 unsuccessfully tried numerous times in the past to meet South Sudan's rebels' leader Dr. Riek Machar, the SSNA has confirmed.