Uganda has stationed special forces in Juba, South Sudan, at the request of President Salva Kiir amid rising tensions with Riek Machar. General Kainerugaba asserted that Uganda views any threats to Kiir as a declaration of war. The situation in South Sudan is precarious, as demonstrated by recent political arrests and U.S. evacuations. The existing peace agreement from 2018 lacks key implementations, leaving the country vulnerable to further conflict.
The Ugandan military has deployed special forces to Juba, South Sudan, as stated by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. This action is aimed at assisting President Salva Kiir amid rising tensions with his deputy, Riek Machar, which poses a risk to their tenuous peace agreement and raises concerns of renewed conflict. General Kainerugaba affirmed that any assault on Kiir would be deemed a declaration of war against Uganda.
He expressed Uganda’s commitment to safeguarding South Sudan, equating it to protecting Ugandan territory, and conveyed this message via the social media platform X. The South Sudanese government has not issued any comments regarding this military deployment. Recently, security concerns have intensified, leading the United States to mandate the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from South Sudan.
Tensions escalated following the arrest of South Sudan’s deputy chief of the army and two ministers, both allies of Machar; an opposition spokesperson labeled this action as a serious breach of the existing peace agreement. One minister has since been released. The arrests coincided with clashes in the Upper Nile region involving government forces and a militia known as the White Army, which had supported Machar during the civil war that began in 2013 due to a power struggle with Kiir.
The civil war resulted in catastrophic outcomes, with over 400,000 fatalities. Although a power-sharing agreement was established in 2018 to cease hostilities, many critical aspects remain unfulfilled, including the establishment of a new constitution, conducting elections, and merging armed factions into a unified military.
The deployment of Ugandan forces to Juba underscores the escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, raising fears of a potential resurgence of conflict in South Sudan. The arrests of key political figures and the U.S. evacuation order further highlight the unstable security situation. Despite the 2018 power-sharing agreement, vital components necessary for establishing peace and governance remain unaddressed, threatening the fragile peace in the region.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
