Uganda Deploys Forces to South Sudan as Tensions Surge

Uganda has deployed special forces to Juba, South Sudan, to assist President Salva Kiir amid rising tensions with Deputy Riek Machar. The military chief affirmed Uganda’s commitment to protecting South Sudan’s sovereignty. Security conditions are worsening, prompting the U.S. to evacuate non-emergency personnel, as arrests within the government indicate fragility in the peace deal established in 2018.

Uganda has recently deployed special forces to the capital city of South Sudan, Juba, aiming to assist President Salva Kiir in securing the region. This deployment, announced by Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has raised concerns due to escalating tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, potentially jeopardizing the current fragile peace agreement.

While General Kainerugaba did not provide specific motives for the troop deployment, he stated that any aggression toward President Kiir would be considered a declaration of war against Uganda. He affirmed that Uganda would safeguard South Sudan’s entire territory as if it were its own, implying a strong commitment to maintaining stability.

The government of South Sudan has yet to issue a statement regarding Uganda’s military presence. Additionally, the security climate in South Sudan remains precarious enough that the United States has mandated the evacuation of its non-emergency personnel from the country.

Recently, South Sudan’s security forces detained the deputy army chief and two ministers aligned with Machar, which has been described by opposition representatives as a severe breach of the existing peace deal. While one minister has since been released, the arrests followed violent clashes in Upper Nile state involving government forces and a militia known as the White Army, which previously allied with Machar during the civil war.

The ongoing power struggle initiated a civil war in 2013 that drastically affected the nation, resulting in more than 400,000 casualties. A power-sharing agreement established in 2018 temporarily quelled the fighting; however, crucial aspects have yet to be properly enacted, including the formation of a new constitution and the unification of armed factions into a cohesive military force.

In summary, Uganda’s deployment of special forces to South Sudan’s Juba underscores the heightened tensions between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, raising fears of a potential return to conflict. The military chief’s statement regarding commitments to South Sudan reflects Uganda’s strategic interests in the region. Meanwhile, ongoing arrests within the South Sudanese government and the U.S. evacuation further illustrate the deteriorating security situation. Without timely implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, the likelihood of renewed violence remains significant.

Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk