Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The situation has escalated following key arrests and violence that threaten a peace accord. Uganda’s military chief emphasized support for Kiir and warned against threats to his leadership.
Uganda’s military chief has announced the deployment of special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, aimed at securing the area amidst rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. This unrest escalated following the detention of two ministers and several senior military officials loyal to Machar, leading to fears of a resurgence of civil war.
The situation deteriorated with recent arrests in Juba and violent skirmishes around Nasir, undermining the 2018 peace accord that concluded a devastating civil war resulting in approximately 400,000 fatalities. The military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, confirmed the entry of Ugandan Special Forces units into Juba through social media posts.
Kainerugaba asserted that the Ugandan Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) recognizes only President Salva Kiir as South Sudan’s legitimate leader and warned that any threats against him would be regarded as an act of war against Uganda. Despite attempts to reach South Sudanese government officials for comment, there has been no response.
This is not Uganda’s first military involvement in South Sudan; troops were previously stationed in Juba during the civil conflict in 2013 and subsequently withdrawn in 2015. They resumed deployment in 2016, only to withdraw again. Uganda remains concerned that escalating conflict in South Sudan could lead to an influx of refugees and heightened instability on its borders.
Details regarding the current deployment’s duration and whether it was requested by Kiir’s government remain unclear.
In summary, Uganda has deployed special forces to Juba, South Sudan, due to escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The move follows a series of arrests that threaten a fragile peace. Historical context reveals previous militarized interventions by Uganda in South Sudan, driven by concerns over regional stability and refugee influx.
Original Source: theprint.in
