Uganda has sent elite forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to support President Salva Kiir amidst rising tensions with Riek Machar’s faction. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed the deployment, emphasizing Uganda’s commitment to defending Kiir’s government. Violence escalated after arrests of key figures allied with Machar, raising alarms domestically and internationally about the potential collapse of the fragile peace in the country.
The Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have deployed elite special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to bolster the government led by President Salva Kiir amid rising tensions. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces, announced this development on social media platform X, stating that the operation, named ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ (Silent Guardian), aims to support the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
General Kainerugaba assured that any threat against President Kiir would be viewed as a declaration of war against Uganda, emphasizing Uganda’s commitment to defending the South Sudanese government. This assertion comes as relations between Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, worsen, potentially jeopardizing the fragile 2018 peace agreement but no formal response from the South Sudanese government has been communicated regarding the deployment.
The situation in South Sudan worsened last week with the arrest of two ministers and the army’s deputy chief, allies of Riek Machar, prompting the opposition to denounce these actions as a significant breach of the peace agreement. Clashes have intensified in Upper Nile State between government forces and a militia known as the White Army. The unrest escalated following an attack on a UN helicopter that was evacuating SSPDF soldiers, leading to several casualties.
The escalating violence has elicited regional and international alarm, prompting the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to convene an extraordinary virtual summit to discuss the ongoing crisis. IGAD reaffirmed its commitment to fostering dialogue and striving for peace in South Sudan. Concurrently, the United States has ordered the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic personnel due to the increasing violence and the proliferation of weapons among civilians.
Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has faced persistent instability, experiencing civil war after a power struggle erupted in 2013. Although the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement curbed significant hostilities, essential elements like a unified army, a new constitution, and national elections remain unaddressed, perpetuating ongoing conflicts and tensions in the region.
The recent deployment of UPDF troops in Juba underscores Uganda’s commitment to supporting the South Sudanese government amid escalating tensions. General Kainerugaba’s statements reflect a determined stance to safeguard President Kiir’s administration from perceived threats. As the international community expresses concern regarding the violence and potential for further instability, the prospects for peace in South Sudan remain precarious, contingent upon the fulfillment of prior agreements and effective diplomatic efforts.
Original Source: softpower.ug
