Uganda has dispatched special forces to Juba, South Sudan, to support President Salva Kiir amid rising tensions with Riek Machar. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated any threat to Kiir would be seen as a declaration of war against Uganda. This follows recent unrest and arrests of Machar’s allies, raising fears of renewed conflict in the region, despite existing peace agreements that have yet to be fully implemented.
The Ugandan military has initiated a deployment of special forces to the capital of South Sudan, Juba, under the direction of military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. This action is intended to assist President Salva Kiir amid escalating tensions between Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, which poses a threat to the stability of their fragile peace agreement.
While General Kainerugaba did not specify the reasons for the deployment, he emphasized that any aggression towards Kiir would be perceived as a declaration of war against Uganda, declaring, “We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own.” This statement was made via the social media platform X.
The government of South Sudan has yet to issue a response regarding Uganda’s military presence. Concerns over the nation’s security have led the United States to order the evacuation of all non-emergency personnel from South Sudan, highlighting the growing urgency of the situation.
Recent events have further complicated the political landscape, as the deputy chief of the army and two ministers aligned with Machar were arrested, prompting an opposition spokesman to label this as a “grave violation” of the existing peace deal. One minister has since been released following these developments.
These tensions arise in the context of renewed clashes in Upper Nile state between the government forces and the White Army militia, which had historically fought alongside Machar during the civil war that erupted in 2013. This conflict originated from a power struggle between Kiir and Machar, resulting in devastating consequences including over 400,000 fatalities.
Although a power-sharing agreement was reached in 2018 to cease hostilities, numerous components of that accord—including the establishment of a new constitution, holding elections, and the consolidation of military factions—remain unfulfilled, contributing to ongoing instability in South Sudan.
The deployment of Ugandan forces to South Sudan underscores the significant tensions between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, raising serious concerns about the integrity of their peace agreement. The arrest of high-ranking officials aligned with Machar and the emergence of armed conflict further complicate the situation. As regional support intensifies, the potential for renewed violence remains prevalent, necessitating urgent attention to the implementation of their peace agreement.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
