Ugandan special forces have been deployed to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, following rising tensions threatening the peace between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The deployment aims to secure the region amidst clashes between rival forces, with international concerns growing over the potential for escalating violence.
The Ugandan army has deployed special forces to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, amid escalating tensions that threaten the fragile peace between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. Ugandan army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed the deployment, stating, “As of 2 days ago, our Special Forces units entered Juba to secure it.”
Kainerugaba emphasized Uganda’s commitment to protecting South Sudan’s territory, describing it as “like it was our own.” Ugandan army spokesman Felix Kulayigye further confirmed that troops were dispatched to safeguard the government following orders received.
The deployment comes following a series of clashes between forces allied to Kiir and Machar, raising concerns about the stability of the existing power-sharing agreement that ended the five-year civil war in 2018. Tensions escalated after a UN helicopter was targeted during an attempted rescue of South Sudanese army members, resulting in fatalities among military personnel.
President Kiir urged calm among citizens, asserting that the government would manage the crisis, stating, “Let no one take law into their hands.” In contrast, Machar’s office condemned the helicopter incident as “barbaric” and stressed priority on restoring peace in the region.
The situation has drawn international concern, with warnings from the UN Commission on Human Rights about a potential regression in stability. The International Crisis Group cautioned that South Sudan is on the brink of full-blown war and called for UN preparedness to deploy peacekeepers to protect civilians.
In conclusion, the deployment of Ugandan special forces to South Sudan highlights increasing geopolitical tensions in the region that jeopardize the fragile peace established after years of civil conflict. With rising violence and military unrest, international attention must focus on swift intervention to prevent further escalation and humanitarian crises. A collaborative approach among regional and global stakeholders is essential to restore stability and peace in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
