Uganda has dispatched special forces to South Sudan amidst rising tensions and fears of a renewed civil war between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, as past power-sharing agreements collapse. The United Nations has urged dialogue to prevent further violence, while Uganda is concerned about the regional implications of the unrest.
As tensions in South Sudan escalate, Uganda has deployed its special forces to help secure the capital, Juba. This deployment comes amid rising fears of potential civil conflict as the power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar continues to deteriorate. Clashes have begun to erupt, exacerbating the already volatile situation.
The announcement by Kampala’s military chief stated that the troops were sent for security purposes, yet there was no clarification on the duration of their stay or whether Uganda was formally requested for assistance. In a series of social media posts, Muhoozi Kainerugaba affirmed the deployment, emphasizing Uganda’s commitment to recognizing Kiir as South Sudan’s legitimate leader, warning that any moves against him would be seen as a declaration of war against Uganda.
Recently, there have been reports of sporadic fighting in South Sudan, with Kiir’s forces detaining senior military officials allied with Machar. Clashes in the northern town of Nasir resulted in casualties among soldiers and militia affiliated with Machar. Despite Kiir’s insistence on preventing a return to conflict, analysts observe a significant risk of renewed violence.
The UN has called for restraint from all parties and has urged South Sudan’s leaders to engage in dialogue to address the escalating tensions. Uganda’s military intervention is reminiscent of its involvement during the outbreak of civil war in 2013, where similar deployments took place to support Kiir’s administration amid chaos.
This new military presence raises concerns for Uganda, as civil unrest in South Sudan could trigger a refugee crisis and further destabilize the region. In addition, Kampala has recently responded to security threats by sending forces to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where rebel activities have been escalating.
The deployment of Ugandan troops to South Sudan highlights the precarious nature of the region’s stability. As tensions rise between President Kiir and Vice President Machar, there is an urgent need for diplomatic intervention to prevent a potential resurgence of civil war. This situation not only threatens South Sudan but also poses significant risks to regional security, particularly for neighboring Uganda, which is wary of the possible influx of refugees and instability.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
