The UPDF has confirmed the deployment of special forces in South Sudan to aid President Salva Kiir’s government amid escalating tensions and violence. The lack of public authorization from Uganda’s parliament complicates the situation, raising concerns about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement. UPDF officials stated the mission is for mutual benefit amid growing insecurity.
The spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has confirmed the deployment of special forces in South Sudan to assist President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government. The specifics surrounding this deployment remain ambiguous, as there has been no public endorsement from the Ugandan parliament.
Tensions between President Kiir’s forces and those of First Vice President Riek Machar have escalated recently, particularly following a militia attack on the town of Nasir in Upper Nile State that resulted in numerous fatalities, including the death of an SSPDF commander. This violence has driven the Kiir administration to intensify a crackdown on Machar’s supporters, leading to multiple detentions of high-ranking officials.
This unfolding situation raises serious concerns regarding the stability of the fragile 2018 peace agreement that brought an end to a brutal five-year civil war in South Sudan. In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, UPDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye stated, “The mission is to support the government of South Sudan due to the growing insecurity in the country.”
He underscored the intervention’s importance for both Ugandan and South Sudanese citizens and discussed the legal constraints, insisting, “If there was no agreement, this would constitute an invasion.” Kulayigye confirmed that UPDF forces are already present in South Sudan and that the duration of their mission will depend on security conditions.
This confirmation comes on the heels of a comment from Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, declaring on social media that “UPDF commandos have arrived in Juba to support SSPDF in the current crisis.” SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang refrained from commenting, and attempts to contact South Sudan’s Information Minister were unsuccessful. Historically, Uganda has played a pivotal role in South Sudan’s conflicts, previously intervening in 2013 during the civil war that erupted between Kiir and Machar.
In summary, the UPDF has deployed troops in South Sudan amidst rising tensions and violence between rival factions loyal to President Kiir and First Vice President Machar. The situation raises concerns regarding the enduring stability of the peace agreement forged in 2018. The legal basis for the deployment remains contested, and as UPDF’s involvement continues, the timeline for withdrawal will be determined by the evolving security landscape.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
