South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, has condemned Uganda’s military intervention in South Sudan, characterizing it as a violation of sovereignty and international agreements. He has called for an immediate withdrawal of Ugandan forces, while the South Sudanese government defends the troops’ presence under a previous military pact. Concerns over the impact of this intervention on the peace process are highlighted amidst the ongoing military operation, Operation Mlinzi wa Kimya.
Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First Vice President of South Sudan, has formally criticized Uganda’s military intervention in South Sudan, asserting it violates national sovereignty and international agreements. In a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other key figures, he has demanded Ugandan troops withdraw from South Sudan immediately. He emphasized that the intervention breaches the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and the Cessation of Hostilities agreement.
Machar highlighted that Uganda’s military actions contravene UN Security Council Resolutions 2428 and 2731, which impose an arms embargo. He pointed out that Ugandan forces are accused of conducting airstrikes against civilians in regions such as Upper Nile and Jonglei states.
Conversely, South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Michael Makuei Leuth, justified Uganda’s military presence, citing a pre-existing pact from the conflict against the Lord’s Resistance Army. He asserted that the Ugandan forces are in South Sudan for training and support purposes, framing their presence as an attempt to stabilize the region.
Operation Mlinzi wa Kimya, launched by Uganda on March 11, 2025, involves elite special forces utilizing key border entry points. Brig. Gen. Anthony Mbuusi Lukwago commands this operation, responsible for the task force deployed in a bid to maintain peace and security in the area.
Machar has dismissed the legitimacy of a previous Status of Forces Agreement between Uganda and South Sudan, stressing it was not validated by the current government. He stressed the need for all foreign armed groups to exit South Sudan, urging President Yoweri Museveni to act as a mediator, rather than a military participant.
He expressed concerns that Uganda’s involvement could endanger the fragile peace agreement and disrupt the country’s transition into democracy. He called for intervention from the IGAD, the African Union, and the UN Security Council to insist on the withdrawal of Ugandan forces, all while reiterating his commitment to peace through diplomatic dialogues.
Dr. Riek Machar has articulated serious concerns regarding Uganda’s military presence in South Sudan, warning of potential violations of peace agreements and national sovereignty. He demands an immediate withdrawal of Ugandan forces while South Sudan’s government defends the military pact cited as a source of obligation. Amid the ongoing military operation under Operation Mlinzi wa Kimya, the dialogue surrounding the future of Uganda’s involvement and the peace process remains crucial for South Sudan’s stability and democratic transition.
Original Source: chimpreports.com
