Uganda has deployed troops to South Sudan’s capital Juba to support President Salva Kiir amid escalating tensions with Deputy Riek Machar. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated this move is meant to secure South Sudan, warning against actions perceived as threats to Kiir. The security situation has deteriorated, prompting the US to evacuate non-emergency staff, alongside recent political arrests linked to past civil conflicts. The fragile peace deal remains largely unimplemented.
Uganda has dispatched special forces to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to assist President Salva Kiir, as declared by Uganda’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. This deployment comes amid rising tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, igniting fears regarding the stability of their existing peace agreement. General Kainerugaba emphasized that any hostile action against Kiir would be perceived as an act of war against Uganda and assured that his country would safeguard South Sudan’s territory rigorously.
The South Sudanese government has yet to issue a statement regarding Uganda’s military deployment. Concerns regarding the security dynamics in South Sudan have increased significantly, prompting the United States to order the departure of all non-emergency personnel from the nation over the weekend. Recent events include the arrest of the deputy chief of the army and two ministers, known associates of Deputy President Machar, which an opposition representative termed a severe infringement of the peace accord.
The arrests were triggered by clashes between government forces and a militia called the White Army in Upper Nile State, a group that previously allied with Machar during the civil war commencing in 2013. That civil conflict, sparked by a power struggle, resulted in significant fatalities, with casualties exceeding 400,000. Although a 2018 power-sharing agreement ended the fighting, several fundamental aspects, including a new constitution and elections, remain unrealized, contributing to the fragile state of peace.
In essence, Uganda’s military deployment to South Sudan underscores the heightened tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, following recent political upheavals and arrests within the South Sudanese government. As concerns regarding security escalate, the involvement of Uganda aims to stabilize the situation amidst fears of a potential resumption of conflict. The persistent failure to implement key elements of the 2018 peace agreement reflects the precariousness of South Sudan’s political landscape.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
