East African leaders demanded an immediate withdrawal of foreign troops in South Sudan especially Uganda People’s Defence Force or UPDF.
In a press statement, Uganda argued its troops would stay in the country until an African emergency force was put in place.
The leaders urged for the progressive withdrawal of all allied forces invited by either side from the theatre of operations as per the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
IGAD authorised the prompt deployment of a protection and deterrent force from the region with a clear mandate and operational guidelines as part of the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism in the country.
Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi Rwanda and Djibouti agreed to deploy troops to South Sudan by mid-April to help enforce a ceasefire deal.
The deployment will begin after approval from the African Union and the UN Security Council.