Uganda has sent elite forces to Juba to support President Kiir amidst rising tensions between his government and opposition factions led by Riek Machar. General Kainerugaba affirmed commitment to protect Kiir’s administration, reflecting Uganda’s strategic interests in South Sudan’s stability. Regional and international responses include a summit by IGAD and US evacuation of non-emergency staff due to escalating violence.
Uganda has deployed elite special forces to Juba, South Sudan’s capital, to bolster the security of the city and support President Salva Kiir’s administration. The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, made this announcement on social media, confirming the involvement of UPDF commandos in an operation named ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ (Silent Guardian).
General Kainerugaba asserted that the UPDF is there to assist the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) during the ongoing crisis and emphasized Uganda’s commitment to protecting President Kiir’s government. He stated that any action against President Kiir would be regarded as a declaration of war against Uganda, reaffirming their promise to defend South Sudan as if it were their own territory.
The South Sudanese government has not officially commented on the deployment amid rising tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, which threaten the fragile peace agreement established in 2018. Last week’s violence included the arrest of two ministers and the deputy chief of the army, allies of Machar, prompting the opposition to declare this a significant breach of the peace accord.
Clashes have also surfaced in the Upper Nile State between government forces and a militia known as the White Army, aligned with Machar during the civil war. Tensions escalated further when a UN helicopter evacuating SSPDF soldiers was attacked, resulting in fatalities among both UN staff and military personnel.
The escalating situation has prompted responses from regional and international actors. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) plans a virtual summit to discuss the crisis on March 12, 2025, reinforcing their commitment to dialogue and peace. Concurrently, the United States has mandated the evacuation of all non-emergency diplomatic staff from South Sudan due to the worsening violence and concerns about the accessibility of arms to civilians.
South Sudan, which became independent from Sudan in 2011, has struggled with ongoing conflict since descending into civil war in 2013 due to a power struggle between President Kiir and Machar. Although a peace agreement was reached in 2018, crucial terms such as the establishment of a unified military and national elections remain unfulfilled, perpetuating instability within the nation.
The deployment of Ugandan forces to Juba underscores the heightened tensions in South Sudan as both regional and international bodies respond to the escalating violence. Despite ongoing unrest and unresolved issues stemming from the fragile peace accord, Uganda’s commitment to aiding President Kiir’s government complicates the already tumultuous landscape. The situation will be closely monitored as stakeholders advocate for peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: softpower.ug
