Uganda has deployed special forces to Juba, South Sudan, amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The situation worsened after a UN helicopter incident, raising fears of a return to civil war. Both leaders have urged calm, but warnings of significant unrest continue from international observers.
Ugandan special forces have been deployed to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, as tensions rise between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The Ugandan army chief confirmed the deployment on Tuesday, highlighting concerns over the fragile peace agreement that has existed since the end of the civil war in 2018. Since recent clashes in northeast South Sudan escalated, Uganda has taken steps to stabilize the region.
Army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated, “As of 2 days ago, our Special Forces units entered Juba to secure it,” emphasizing Uganda’s commitment to protecting South Sudan’s territory. An army spokesman confirmed that troops were sent to safeguard the government amidst increasing unrest. The Ugandan forces had previously supported Kiir’s government during the civil war from 2013 to 2015.
The fragile power-sharing deal between Kiir and Machar is under strain due to recent violence, particularly following an attack on a UN helicopter during a rescue operation. The incident resulted in the deaths of South Sudanese military personnel, with the UN suggesting it may constitute a war crime. Tensions further escalated with accusations of Machar’s forces collaborating with armed groups to incite unrest.
President Kiir has urged citizens to remain calm, asserting that the government will manage the crisis, stating, “I have said it time and again that our country will not go back to war.” Meanwhile, Machar’s office denounced the helicopter attack and reaffirmed efforts to restore peace, emphasizing the importance of engaging all parties to prevent further violence.
The international community is concerned about the deteriorating situation, with human rights organizations warning of a potential regression into conflict. The International Crisis Group has raised alarms about the rapid descent of South Sudan towards war and has called for UN peacekeeping preparations to protect civilians from potential ethnic violence.
The deployment of Ugandan troops to South Sudan underscores high tensions between the nation’s leadership amid fears of escalating conflict. The international community is monitoring the situation, as previous peace agreements are threatened by renewed violence. Both Kiir and Machar have made statements aimed at calming the populace, yet concerns remain over an alarming regression into war that could reverse years of fragile progress in the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
