Uganda Deploys Forces to South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions

Uganda has deployed special forces to Juba, South Sudan, amid increasing tensions between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. The military chief of Uganda stated any attack on Kiir would be viewed as a war declaration against Uganda. The situation has escalated following arrests within the government, raising concerns regarding the stability of the peace deal established in 2018.

Uganda has sent special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to assist President Salva Kiir in maintaining security, according to Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. This deployment occurs amidst escalating tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, raising concerns about the potential collapse of their fragile peace agreement and the risk of renewed conflict.

General Kainerugaba did not specify the reasons for Uganda’s military presence but asserted that any action against Kiir would constitute a “declaration of war against Uganda.” He stated, “We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own,” emphasizing Uganda’s commitment to regional stability through social media.

As concerns regarding South Sudan’s security intensify, the United States recently ordered the evacuation of its non-emergency personnel from the country. Tensions grew following the arrest of the deputy chief of the army and two ministers who are allies of Machar, which an opposition representative described as a “grave violation” of the peace agreement. Notably, one minister has since been released.

These arrests were linked to conflicts in Upper Nile state between government forces and a militia named the White Army, which had previously allied with Machar during the civil war that erupted in 2013 over a power struggle with Kiir. This strife resulted in significant violence in Juba, where Kiir accused Machar of attempting a coup—a charge Machar denied. The subsequent civil war claimed over 400,000 lives.

Although a power-sharing agreement was established in 2018 that aimed to end the fighting, several key components of the deal have yet to be realized, including the establishment of a new constitution, the facilitation of elections, and the integration of armed factions into a unified army.

In summary, the deployment of Ugandan forces to Juba underscores the rising tensions between South Sudanese leadership figures, President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. With the potential for renewed conflict, the international community is increasingly concerned about the situation in South Sudan. The ongoing instability necessitates urgent attention to the unfulfilled commitments of the 2018 power-sharing agreement to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.

Original Source: www.bbc.com