Uganda has dispatched special forces to Juba to assist President Salva Kiir amid rising tensions with Riek Machar. The deployment is seen as crucial to maintaining security as fears of conflict resurgence grow. The U.S. has responded by evacuating non-emergency staff due to the deteriorating security situation following key arrests within the government.
Uganda has officially deployed special forces to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, as confirmed by military chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The deployment aims to assist President Salva Kiir in maintaining security amidst increasing tensions with his deputy, Riek Machar. Concerns are rising that the fragile peace agreement could deteriorate, leading to renewed conflict.
Gen. Kainerugaba emphasized that any actions against Kiir would be viewed as a declaration of war on Uganda, stating, “We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own.” Despite these developments, the South Sudanese government has not yet issued a formal response to Uganda’s military presence.
The security situation in South Sudan has worsened, prompting the U.S. to order the evacuation of non-emergency staff from the nation. Tensions escalated last week when a deputy army chief and two ministers, loyal to Machar, were arrested, an act condemned by an opposition spokesperson as a severe breach of the peace accord.
These arrests occurred following violent clashes in the Upper Nile state involving the government and a militia known as the White Army, which had previously allied with Machar during the civil war beginning in 2013. This civil unrest initially erupted from a power struggle, resulting in over 400,000 deaths before a 2018 power-sharing agreement temporarily halted the bloodshed. However, many critical aspects of the deal—such as a new constitution and military unification—remain unfulfilled.
Uganda’s military deployment to South Sudan is a critical response to escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar. With concerns growing about a return to conflict, the U.S. has begun evacuating personnel amidst further instability stemming from recent arrests of key government figures. The 2018 peace agreement, while it halted widespread violence, still lacks essential implementations to ensure lasting security, highlighting the precarious situation in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
