Uganda has dispatched special forces to Juba, supporting President Salva Kiir amid escalating tensions with First Vice President Riek Machar. This follows increased crackdowns on Machar’s supporters and highlights the precarious nature of the 2018 peace agreement, which aimed to stabilize South Sudan post-civil war.
Uganda has deployed special forces to Juba to support South Sudanese President Salva Kiir amid rising tensions with First Vice President Riek Machar. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, confirmed that Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) commandos have commenced an operation called Mlinzi wa Kimya, aimed at assisting the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) during the crisis. This strategic move aligns with a crackdown on Machar’s supporters, resulting in the arrest of several officials loyal to him.
The situation has drawn attention to the fragile peace agreement established in 2018, which sought to conclude a devastating five-year civil war in South Sudan that resulted in nearly 400,000 fatalities and displaced millions. Although this agreement re-instated Machar as Vice President within a power-sharing framework, its execution has faced numerous delays and ongoing political disputes, raising concerns regarding stability in the region.
Uganda has historically intervened in South Sudan’s conflicts, having previously sent troops to assist Kiir’s government during the 2013 civil war. The ongoing implementation issues of the 2018 power-sharing agreement, especially regarding armed group integration into a unified army, suggest that the risk of renewed conflict remains significant.
Machar’s camp has vocally opposed the recent arrests of allies and has demanded their immediate release. Additionally, Machar expressed alarm over Kiir’s reshuffling of the Cabinet, which removed officials aligned with him, perceiving such actions as violations of the power-sharing deal and a potential threat to its stability. The unfolding events have heightened fears that the peace agreement might falter, with commentators warning of an impending return to warfare in South Sudan, which has struggled with internal strife and delayed elections since its independence in 2011.
The deployment of Ugandan special forces to Juba indicates escalating tensions between President Kiir and First Vice President Machar. The fragile peace agreement reached in 2018 remains at risk due to recent political maneuvers and crackdowns on Machar’s allies. Continued instability and implementation delays could potentially lead South Sudan back into conflict, highlighting the urgent need for effective governance and adherence to the peace agreement to ensure the country’s stability.
Original Source: www.capitalfm.co.ke
