Uganda has sent elite special forces to Juba, South Sudan, to assist President Kiir amid rising political tensions. General Kainerugaba emphasized their commitment to protect Kiir’s government. The situation worsened with recent arrests of political figures linked to Machar, resulting in violence and international concern. IGAD is addressing the crisis, while the US has ordered a diplomatic evacuation from South Sudan due to escalating violence.
Uganda has dispatched elite special forces, the UPDF, to the South Sudanese capital, Juba, in support of President Salva Kiir’s government amid rising tensions. This decision was made public by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, via the social media platform X. Under Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ (Silent Guardian), UPDF commandos are tasked with assisting the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).
General Kainerugaba asserted that any threat to President Kiir would be viewed as a declaration of war against Uganda, emphasizing the country’s strong commitment to safeguard South Sudan’s sovereignty. The growing conflicts between Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, have led to significant political tensions, raising alarms over the potential collapse of their fragile peace agreement established in 2018.
The situation in South Sudan worsened following the detention of two ministers and the deputy chief of the army, all connected to Machar, which the opposition deemed as a severe breach of the peace agreement. Although one minister has been released, violence escalated with clashes between government forces and a militia known as the White Army in the Upper Nile State, alongside an attack on a UN helicopter resulting in multiple casualties.
Concerns about South Sudan’s stability have attracted regional and international scrutiny, prompting the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to plan an extraordinary summit to address the crisis. IGAD reaffirmed its dedication to fostering dialogue and de-escalation in the region. Concurrently, the United States has begun evacuating non-essential diplomatic personnel from South Sudan due to heightened violence and apprehensions regarding weapon proliferation among civilians.
Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has faced ongoing instability. The civil conflict sparked in 2013 resulted in over 400,000 deaths, culminating in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, which unfortunately remains partially unfulfilled, maintaining tension between the warring factions.
In conclusion, the recent deployment of UPDF troops to Juba reflects serious concerns regarding the escalating conflict between South Sudan’s political leaders. Uganda’s commitment to supporting President Kiir underscores its strategic interests in the region, as regional and international bodies seek to address the deteriorating security environment. The historical context of South Sudan’s fragile peace highlights the challenges that lie ahead and the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the ongoing crisis.
Original Source: softpower.ug
