The Ugandan army chief announced the deployment of special forces to Juba, South Sudan, to ensure security amid escalating tensions between President Kiir and Vice President Machar. Clashes between factions loyal to both leaders threaten the fragile peace agreement established in 2018, prompting international concern regarding human rights and the potential for renewed conflict.
The Ugandan army has confirmed the deployment of special forces to Juba, South Sudan, amid rising tensions that threaten the existing peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. This deployment follows an increase in violent clashes between factions loyal to the leaders, particularly in the northeast of the country. Ugandan army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba stated that the Ugandan forces aim to secure the capital and protect the broader territory of South Sudan as if it were their own.
Reports indicate that Ugandan troops have been sent to safeguard the government following articulated directives. As per army spokesman Felix Kulayigye, the deployment was crucial to ensuring a stable environment in the capital. The Ugandan military previously intervened in South Sudan’s civil conflict beginning in 2013, providing support to President Kiir before withdrawing in 2015 after a peace deal was struck.
The fragile power-sharing agreement established between Kiir and Machar in 2018 is currently under stress due to recent violent incidents, including an attack on a UN helicopter that resulted in casualties among South Sudanese military personnel. This escalation has raised alarms regarding potential war crimes, as emphasized by the UN Mission in South Sudan.
Kiir has urged citizens to remain calm and reassured them that the government is committed to maintaining peace. He asserted his administration’s ability to manage the crisis, insisting that the country must not revert to war. Meanwhile, tension continues as accusations arise between Kiir’s supporters and Machar’s forces, each blaming the other for instability.
In the face of growing unrest, international observers have expressed deep concern over South Sudan’s deteriorating situation. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has remarked on the alarming regression in human rights conditions, indicating a risk of reverting to prior conflicts. Experts like Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group have called for the need to prepare peacekeeping efforts to protect civilian lives in the face of possible ethnic violence.
The deployment of Ugandan forces to South Sudan’s capital underscores the precarious nature of the peace agreement between the political leaders. Increasing violence and accusations have raised fears of a return to war, prompting international concern about the situation’s deterioration. Both leaders must prioritize peace to avert further instability and protect their citizens from escalating unrest and potential large-scale violence.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
