The UPDF has deployed special forces in South Sudan to support President Kiir’s government amid escalating tensions with Riek Machar’s forces. The deployment’s legal basis is questioned due to a lack of parliamentary approval in Uganda. Concerns arise regarding the stability of the 2018 peace agreement as violence continues in the region.
The spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has confirmed the deployment of special forces in South Sudan to assist President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government. The specifics surrounding the deployment are ambiguous, particularly since there has not been a public authorization from Uganda’s parliament.
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks between Kiir’s forces and those loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar, leading to significant violence in Upper Nile State, including the overrun of Nasir town by Machar’s militias. This violence has prompted the South Sudanese government to intensify its crackdown on allies of Machar, resulting in several high-profile detentions.
Concerns regarding the stability of the fragile 2018 peace agreement, which concluded a long civil war, have resurfaced. In a statement to Radio Tamazuj, UPDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye confirmed the deployment, stating that it aims to support South Sudan’s government amid increasing insecurity. He asserted the dual benefit for Ugandan and South Sudanese citizens.
When questioned about legal grounds for the intervention, Brig. Gen. Kulayigye indicated that without an agreement between the governments, this action could be perceived as an invasion. He noted, “Our forces are already in the country. The mission will continue as long as the security threats persist.” The exact number of troops involved remains undisclosed.
This confirmation follows a social media statement by Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, about the arrival of UPDF commandos in Juba and the initiation of Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya.’ Efforts to obtain comments from the SSPDF spokesperson and South Sudan’s Information Minister were unsuccessful. Uganda has historically intervened in South Sudan, having previously deployed troops in 2013 during earlier conflicts.
The UPDF’s deployment in South Sudan aims to bolster the government amid rising tensions and violence involving the SPLM/A-IO. The lack of parliamentary approval for this intervention raises critical questions about its legality, while concerns about the integrity of the 2018 peace agreement resurface. The deployment, confirmed by UPDF officials, underscores Uganda’s continued military involvement in South Sudan’s complex political landscape.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
