The Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) will begin withdrawing this week and finish the process by 10 October, according to a report by a leading Ugandan newspaper.

The newspaper Daily Monitor cited SPLA Deputy Chief-of- Staff for Logistics and head of the government delegation to the recent IGAD Security Workshop in Addis Ababa, Lt. General Ruben Malek.

“Lt. Gen Malek said this was resolved during the discussions last week between generals from both the government and the opposition sides, as part of the implementation of the peace agreement,” the paper reports.

The SPLA commander further noted that the timeline of their withdrawal is stated between 27 September up to 10 October. This applies to the UPDF troops in Jonglei and Central Equatoria, but not in Western Equatoria, where there is a separate arrangement.

The peace agreement signed by Riek Machar on 17 August and by Salva Kiir on 26 August mandates the completion of the withdrawal of all allied forces from the country, with the exception of Western Equatoria State, within 45 days of signing.

By that timeframe, 45 days from 26 August would be 10 October, the date mentioned by the Ugandan general as the target for their completion of withdrawal.

Photo: UPDF Gen. Katumba addressing soldiers in Bor, South Sudan, published by the major Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor on 22 January 2014.

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Machar: 'Museveni accepted UPDF withdrawal from S Sudan'