Uganda has deployed elite special forces to Juba to support President Salva Kiir amid rising tensions with Riek Machar. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed the operation, stating Uganda would protect Kiir’s government. The situation deteriorated with recent arrests of Machar allies and violent clashes, prompting regional and international responses, including an IGAD summit and US evacuation orders.
Uganda has dispatched elite special forces to Juba, South Sudan, to bolster security and support President Salva Kiir’s leadership. This movement was confirmed by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, via the social media platform X. The operation, dubbed “Mlinzi wa Kimya” (Silent Guardian), aims to collaborate with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) amid escalating tensions in the country.
General Kainerugaba emphasized Uganda’s determination to safeguard Kiir’s government, asserting that any threat against it would be seen as an act of war against Uganda. He stated, “We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan like it was our own.” The South Sudanese administration has not yet publicly commented on Uganda’s military deployment, although tensions between Kiir and deputy Riek Machar are evidently rising, with fears that their fragile peace agreement may collapse.
The South Sudan situation worsened recently after the detention of two ministers and the deputy army chief, both allies of Machar. This action was labeled a serious breach of the peace agreement, prompting one minister’s release. Clashes have intensified in Upper Nile State as government forces engage with the militia group, the White Army, which allied with Machar during the civil strife.
Additionally, on March 10, a UN helicopter evacuating SSPDF personnel was targeted, resulting in multiple fatalities, including a member of the UN crew and an SSPDF commander. This escalation has raised alarms regionally and internationally. In response, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced a special virtual summit for March 12, 2025, to discuss the deteriorating situation, reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and de-escalation.
Meanwhile, the United States has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency diplomatic personnel from South Sudan due to the escalating violence and concerns over civilian armament. South Sudan, which declared independence from Sudan in 2011, has a history of fragile peace, with over 400,000 casualties resulting from the civil war that began in 2013. Despite the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, several critical provisions remain unfulfilled, perpetuating ongoing tensions.
Uganda’s deployment of special forces to South Sudan underscores the escalating security concerns in the region, particularly involving President Kiir’s government and rising tensions with Riek Machar. The fragile peace framework established by the 2018 agreement is under significant strain due to internal conflicts and external military involvement. Regional players like IGAD are stepping in to address the situation, highlighting the importance of international dialogue and de-escalation efforts.
Original Source: softpower.ug
