Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan’s capital amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar. The deployment aims to secure Juba as fears of civil war increase following the detainment of Machar’s allies and violent clashes. The IGAD is set to hold an urgent summit to address the ongoing crisis.
Uganda has dispatched special forces to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, amid increasing tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar. This intervention comes as fears mount regarding the potential collapse of the fragile power-sharing agreement established in 2018, which was intended to end a protracted civil conflict. The situation has deteriorated following the detainment of several ministers aligned with Machar, as violent confrontations have surfaced in the Upper Nile region.
The Chief of the Ugandan military, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, confirmed the troop deployment to enhance security in Juba, indicating the urgency of the situation. He mentioned via social media that Uganda recognizes only Kiir as the legitimate president and warned that any actions against Kiir would be interpreted as a declaration of war against Uganda. The duration of the deployment and whether it was initiated at Kiir’s request remains unclear, yet it highlights Uganda’s significant concern regarding stability in the region.
In response to these escalating tensions, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), responsible for overseeing the peace agreement, is convening an urgent summit to address the crisis. The summit is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, and aims to engage key stakeholders as South Sudan nears the brink of renewed civil warfare, jeopardizing the fragile peace achieved in 2018.
In conclusion, Uganda’s decision to send special forces to South Sudan underlines the severe tensions threatening the 2018 peace deal. This deployment reflects Uganda’s commitment to regional stability amid concerns of a potential return to civil war. The upcoming IGAD summit will be critical in addressing the escalating crisis and facilitating dialogue between the conflicting parties.
Original Source: northafricapost.com
