Uganda has sent troops to Juba to support President Kiir amid escalating tensions with his deputy Riek Machar. General Kainerugaba warned that any threat to Kiir is seen as an act of war against Uganda. The security situation in South Sudan worsens, prompting the U.S. to evacuate non-emergency staff as arrests of Machar’s allies raise concerns over the peace deal.
Uganda has deployed special forces to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to assist President Salva Kiir in ensuring security within the region, as announced by Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. This deployment comes amid rising tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, which have raised concerns that their fragile peace agreement may collapse and potentially reignite conflict.
General Kainerugaba emphasized that any threat against President Kiir would be viewed as a declaration of war against Uganda. He expressed Uganda’s commitment to safeguarding South Sudan as if it were their own territory, stating this declaration on the social media platform X. The government of South Sudan has yet to provide a response regarding the troop deployment.
Growing concerns over security in South Sudan have prompted the United States to order the evacuation of all non-emergency personnel from the nation. Recently, the deputy army chief and two ministers aligned with Machar were detained by security forces, an act perceived by an opposition representative as a severe breach of the existing peace agreement. Following the arrests, one minister has since been released.
The apprehensions stem from recent clashes between government forces and a militia known as the White Army in the Upper Nile state. This group had allied with Machar during the civil conflict initiated in 2013, which arose from a power struggle between him and President Kiir, resulting in widespread violence and significant loss of life. A 2018 power-sharing agreement brought a cessation to hostilities, but key aspects such as a new constitution, elections, and the unification of armed factions remain unfulfilled.
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The deployment of Ugandan forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, signals escalating tensions amidst a fragile peace deal between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s comments reinforce Uganda’s assertive stance on regional security. As the situation develops with rising violence and arrests within South Sudan, international concern grows regarding the stability and future of the nation following years of conflict.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
