The UPDF has deployed troops to South Sudan to assist President Kiir amidst rising tensions with Riek Machar’s factions. The operation highlights the deteriorating security situation, as clashes have resulted in casualties and political arrests. The international community urges for a peaceful resolution to prevent further destabilization in the region, particularly following the extension of post-independence elections.
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has recently deployed troops in South Sudan to support President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government amid escalating tensions. UPDF Chief of Defense Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced through social media that the operation, termed ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya,’ aims to assist the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) during the ongoing crisis.
Footage has emerged showing UPDF soldiers disembarking from a civilian aircraft, armed with weapons; however, the timing of this video remains undisclosed. The situation in South Sudan is precarious, with UPDF’s involvement indicating a decline in political and security stability in the nation.
The UPDF has previously intervened in South Sudan, notably in 2013, without parliamentary consent, to support Kiir’s administration against a threat from former Vice President Riek Machar. Currently, there is uncertainty around the legal framework of this recent deployment, as no parliamentary approval has been reported.
Tensions have been escalating between the factions aligned with President Kiir and First Vice President Machar, predominantly represented by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition. Violent incidents, including an attack in Nasir that claimed numerous lives, have intensified fears of broader conflict.
Recent clashes have also occurred in Malakal and Bentiu, areas predominantly inhabited by Machar’s ethnic group, the Nuer. Concurrently, arrests of Machar’s supporters in Juba have raised further concerns regarding political repression, while Machar himself is reportedly under unofficial house arrest.
If the conflict escalates, it would mark South Sudan’s third major crisis since its independence in 2011, following previous civil wars initiated by disputes between Kiir and Machar. The ongoing strife has led to significant loss of life and displacement in the past.
South Sudan was anticipated to conduct its first elections since independence this year; however, the transitional government has postponed these elections for an additional two years, citing a need for preparation to ensure fairness. The international community, including organizations like the African Union and the United Nations, has emphasized the necessity for a peaceful resolution to the internal conflicts to prevent further destabilization in the region, particularly in light of ongoing turmoil in neighboring Sudan.
In summary, the UPDF’s deployment in South Sudan reflects a critical phase in the nation’s political and security landscape, where escalating tensions threaten to ignite broader conflict. The historical context underscores the recurring hostilities between President Kiir and Riek Machar, leading to calls for international intervention to restore stability. The postponed elections signify the ongoing challenges in establishing a peaceful political framework.
Original Source: www.independent.co.ug
