The UPDF has confirmed the deployment of special forces to South Sudan to support President Kiir’s government amidst rising tensions with Riek Machar’s forces. This intervention raises questions regarding its legal basis due to the absence of parliamentary approval. Recent violence has escalated fears about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement, originally designed to end a five-year civil war.
The spokesperson for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, has confirmed that special forces have been deployed to South Sudan to assist President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government. However, the specific circumstances surrounding this deployment remain ambiguous, particularly in light of the absence of official parliamentary authorization from Uganda.
Recent weeks have seen escalating tensions between Kiir’s forces and those loyal to First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM/A-IO. Notably, militias purportedly allied with Machar captured the town of Nasir in Upper Nile State, resulting in numerous casualties, including the death of a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) commander.
In response to this violence, Kiir’s administration has intensified actions against Machar’s allies, leading to the detention of significant figures such as the Petroleum Minister and various senior military officials. These events raise renewed fears regarding the stability of the fragile 2018 peace agreement that concluded a five-year civil war.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj, Brig. Gen. Kulayigye stated, “The mission is to support the government of South Sudan due to the growing insecurity in the country.” He further noted that the operation aims to benefit both Ugandans and South Sudanese citizens. On the legal grounds for intervention, he remarked, “If there was no agreement [between the two governments], this would constitute an invasion.”
Brig. Gen. Kulayigye revealed that the UPDF forces are already in South Sudan, emphasizing that their presence will last as long as security threats persist. He refrained from disclosing troop numbers or specific withdrawal timelines, stating, “We will determine the withdrawal timeline based on developments.”
The confirmation of this deployment follows Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s announcement on social media, indicating that UPDF commandos have arrived in Juba to support the SSPDF amid the crisis. Historical context reveals Uganda’s significant involvement in South Sudan’s conflicts, including a 2013 intervention aimed at supporting Kiir’s government during the civil war sparked by tensions between him and Machar.
The confirmation of the UPDF’s deployment to South Sudan underscores the heightened security concerns in the region amidst troubling developments. The situation is complex, with legal ambiguities regarding the intervention and serious implications for the fragile peace established in 2018. As tensions persist, the outcome of this military presence will be pivotal for both Uganda and South Sudan.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
