Uganda has deployed special forces in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to secure the area amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Recent arrests linked to Machar’s faction heighten fears of a return to civil war, jeopardizing the 2018 peace deal. Uganda aims to prevent instability that could result from renewed conflict.
Uganda’s military chief announced on Tuesday the deployment of special forces in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to ensure security amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The escalating tensions are fueled by the detention of ministers and senior military officials associated with Machar, raising fears of a potential return to civil war.
Concerns over the situation escalated following the recent arrests in Juba and violent confrontations near Nasir, which threaten the integrity of the 2018 peace agreement that concluded a five-year civil conflict. This previous war, which was fought between factions loyal to Kiir and Machar, resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths.
Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, articulated via social media that the special forces were tasked with securing Juba and asserted, “We the UPDF (Ugandan military) only recognize one President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir … any move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda.”
Attempts to reach South Sudan’s information minister and military spokesperson for commentary were unsuccessful as they did not respond to phone inquiries. Uganda has a historical precedent for troop deployment in South Sudan, having previously sent troops in 2013 and again in 2016 to support Kiir’s government amidst renewed hostilities before ultimately withdrawing.
There are apprehensions in Uganda regarding the potential for a full-scale conflict in South Sudan to precipitate a refugee crisis and destabilize the region. Kainerugaba has not disclosed whether the recent military deployment was at the behest of Kiir’s administration or the anticipated duration of the Ugandan forces stationed in South Sudan.
In summary, Uganda’s deployment of special forces to South Sudan’s capital comes amidst escalating tensions between the country’s leaders, which threatens long-established peace agreements. As external actors, Uganda aims to curb further conflict that could destabilize the region and create humanitarian crises. The situation remains fluid, with implications for both South and East Africa, warranting close attention from the international community.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
