Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan amidst rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar, threatening the fragile 2018 peace deal. Military Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed the troops were sent to secure Juba. The unrest follows the detention of officials aligned with Machar and clashes in Nasir, prompting concerns of renewed civil war. An urgent IGAD summit has been called to address the crisis.
Uganda has recently deployed special forces to the capital of South Sudan, Juba, in response to escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar. This situation poses a significant threat to the fragile power-sharing peace agreement established in 2018. The deployment was confirmed by Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who stated that the troops aim to ensure security within the capital, given the fear of a potential return to civil war.
The tensions have significantly heightened following the detention of several ministers and senior officials associated with Machar’s faction. Additionally, violent clashes have erupted in Nasir, located in the Upper Nile region. Such developments jeopardize the 2018 peace accord that successfully stopped a five-year civil conflict between the factions led by the two leaders, which resulted in approximately 400,000 fatalities.
Kainerugaba communicated via social media that Uganda recognizes Kiir as the only legitimate president of South Sudan. He warned that any hostile actions against Kiir would be interpreted as a declaration of war against Uganda. It remains unclear how long the Ugandan forces will be stationed in South Sudan or whether their deployment was initiated at Kiir’s behest. However, this military action highlights Uganda’s grave concerns regarding regional stability.
In light of these increasing tensions, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has arranged an urgent summit for Wednesday (12 March) to discuss the improving crisis in South Sudan, which is on the verge of descending into an extensive civil war.
The deployment of Ugandan special forces to South Sudan underscores the region’s escalating tensions and deteriorating security situation, particularly between President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar. With fears of a renewed civil war looming, the actions taken reveal the commitment of Uganda to regional stability and the serious implications for the existing peace agreement. Efforts by IGAD to convene a summit indicate the urgent need for diplomatic intervention in this crisis.
Original Source: northafricapost.com
