Uganda Deploys Special Forces to South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions
Uganda has sent special forces to Juba, South Sudan as fears grow over a potential collapse of the peace agreement due to renewed fighting. Ugandan officials confirmed the deployment aimed at protecting the government, highlighting a history of military intervention in the region. The UN and International Crisis Group have expressed concerns over worsening violence and instability.
In response to escalating tensions in South Sudan, Uganda has deployed special forces to the capital, Juba. This military action follows concerns that a delicate peace agreement may unravel due to renewed hostilities among competing factions in the northeast region.
Ugandan army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, confirmed the troop deployment, stating, “As of two days ago, our Special Forces units entered Juba to secure it. We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own.” This assertion underscores Uganda’s commitment to safeguarding South Sudan’s stability.
Furthermore, Ugandan army spokesperson Felix Kulayigye corroborated the deployment, emphasizing that the troops were assigned to protect the current government. In his remarks to AFP, he noted, “We had instructions to deploy, and we deployed the troops there.”
South Sudan has faced ongoing violence and political unrest since its independence, particularly during the civil conflict that began in 2013, which prompted earlier Ugandan military intervention. Although Ugandan forces officially withdrew in 2015, the region has seen a resurgence of tensions.
A 2018 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar briefly quelled the violence; however, recent clashes, particularly in Upper Nile State, have reignited fears of instability. Supporters of Kiir attribute recent violence to Machar’s forces and the White Army, a militia consisting of young fighters from the Nuer ethnic group.
The United Nations has expressed alarm over the situation, warning of an “alarming regression” in South Sudan’s peace efforts. Likewise, the International Crisis Group has issued a grim assessment, indicating that the nation is “slipping rapidly toward full-blown war.”
In summary, Uganda’s recent deployment of special forces to South Sudan illustrates the urgent need for stability in a nation plagued by violence and political turmoil. The ongoing risks of a collapsed peace deal underscore the critical situation, with international organizations warning of a potential return to widespread conflict. The involvement of Ugandan military forces aims to secure the territory and safeguard the government amid rising tensions.
Original Source: globalsouthworld.com
