The Ugandan military has dispatched troops to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, under the command of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to support President Salva Kiir as tensions escalate within the government. Concerns grow regarding the fragility of peace following arrests of political figures linked to Kiir's rival, Riek Machar.
Uganda Sends Troops to Bolster Stability in South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions
Uganda Sends Troops to Bolster Stability in South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions
Uganda deploys special forces in Juba to assist President Salva Kiir amid fears of escalating conflict with Riek Machar.
Uganda has taken a decisive step by sending special forces to South Sudan's capital, Juba, to aid President Salva Kiir amid increasing unrest, according to Uganda's military chief, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. This deployment aligns with rising tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, as fears mount that their precarious peace deal might disintegrate, potentially reigniting conflict. Gen Kainerugaba did not specify the factors leading to this military action but warned that any attack against Kiir would be viewed as an act of war against Uganda. "We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own," he asserted on social media.
The escalating security concerns in South Sudan have drawn international attention, with the United States recently ordering the evacuation of all non-emergency personnel from the country. This comes on the heels of significant arrests, including the deputy chief of the army and two ministers, all of whom are aligned with Machar. Critics, including opposition representatives, have labeled these actions a severe breach of the existing peace agreement, escalating fears of violence.
The arrests stemmed from clashes in the Upper Nile state involving government forces and a militia group known as the White Army, who had supported Machar during the civil strife that erupted in 2013 over a power struggle with Kiir. This civil war led to devastating fallout, claiming over 400,000 lives. Although a power-sharing deal was brokered in 2018 to halt the violence, major elements, such as constitutional reforms and the formation of a unified army, remain unfulfilled, further complicating the political landscape in South Sudan.
The escalating security concerns in South Sudan have drawn international attention, with the United States recently ordering the evacuation of all non-emergency personnel from the country. This comes on the heels of significant arrests, including the deputy chief of the army and two ministers, all of whom are aligned with Machar. Critics, including opposition representatives, have labeled these actions a severe breach of the existing peace agreement, escalating fears of violence.
The arrests stemmed from clashes in the Upper Nile state involving government forces and a militia group known as the White Army, who had supported Machar during the civil strife that erupted in 2013 over a power struggle with Kiir. This civil war led to devastating fallout, claiming over 400,000 lives. Although a power-sharing deal was brokered in 2018 to halt the violence, major elements, such as constitutional reforms and the formation of a unified army, remain unfulfilled, further complicating the political landscape in South Sudan.
