Uganda has sent elite special forces to Juba to support President Salva Kiir’s government amid rising tensions with Riek Machar. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed the deployment under Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ and warned against threats to Kiir’s regime. Escalating unrest follows recent arrests of Machar allies and armed clashes, prompting responses from IGAD and the United States.
Uganda has deployed elite special forces, known as the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in a strategic move to secure the city and bolster President Salva Kiir’s government. This announcement was made on Tuesday by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations. The operation, termed ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ (Silent Guardian), aims to assist the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) amid the ongoing crisis.
General Kainerugaba emphasized Uganda’s steadfast commitment to protecting President Kiir’s administration, asserting that any threat against Kiir would be viewed as a declaration of war by Uganda. He stated, “We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own.” This sentiment reflects Uganda’s intention to maintain stability in South Sudan amidst rising tensions.
The South Sudanese government has not yet commented on the recent deployment, although tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, have intensified. This escalation raises alarms that the fragile peace agreement established in 2018 may be at risk of collapsing. Recently, security forces arrested officials affiliated with Machar, exacerbating the volatile situation.
Recent clashes in Upper Nile State between government forces and a militia named the White Army, which has ties to Machar, indicate further unrest. This disquiet was magnified when a UN helicopter was fired upon, resulting in fatalities, including a UN crew member and an SSPDF commander, amplifying alarm over security in the region.
The precarious security landscape has prompted both regional and international reactions. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which comprises eight member states, has called for an extraordinary virtual summit to discuss the crisis. In a recent statement, IGAD reaffirmed its commitment to fostering dialogue and de-escalating tensions in South Sudan. Concurrently, the United States has mandated the evacuation of non-emergency diplomatic personnel from South Sudan due to rising violence and concerns regarding civil access to weaponry.
In conclusion, the deployment of Ugandan forces to Juba marks a significant intervention aimed at stabilizing South Sudan amid profound political unrest. With ongoing tensions between President Kiir and Riek Machar, and the recent outbreak of violence, the situation remains critical. Regional and international stakeholders are increasingly involved as they seek to address the escalating crisis and reaffirm commitments to dialogue and peace in South Sudan. The fragile peace established in 2018 necessitates urgent attention to avoid a relapse into larger-scale conflict.
Original Source: softpower.ug
