Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan to protect President Salva Kiir’s government amid fears of civil war sparked by escalating tensions with Riek Machar. The situation is exacerbated by recent violent incidents and the failure to progress on peace deal implementation and reforms. International pressure mounts for both leaders to navigate the path toward stability ahead of the 2026 elections.
Uganda has dispatched an unspecified number of special forces to South Sudan to safeguard President Salva Kiir’s government amid escalating fears of potential civil conflict. According to Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye of the Ugandan military, these troops will support the South Sudanese government against a possible rebellion threatening Juba, the capital. He clarified that the deployment is not for peacekeeping purposes.
This military intervention by President Yoweri Museveni reaffirms his role as a guarantor of the fragile peace process which seeks to maintain a coalition between Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar. Museveni’s past interventions have been crucial in bolstering Kiir’s regime amidst ongoing instability in South Sudan, which has suffered from political turbulence since gaining independence in 2011.
The action coincides with rising tensions in South Sudan, where armed conflict has resumed between government forces and the White Army militia, believed to be allied with Machar. The United States has since advised nonemergency personnel to evacuate Juba while the United Nations has cautioned against a serious regression in progress achieved over recent years.
Noteworthy events last week included a gunfire incident involving a UN helicopter meant to evacuate government troops, which tragically resulted in the death of a South Sudanese general. Machar’s home was reportedly surrounded by government troops who detained several of his associates, including Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, known for his loyalty to Machar. This sequence of events rekindled earlier hostilities, as tensions increased following Kiir’s dismissal of officials aligned with Machar.
The ongoing rivalry has roots in a civil war that erupted in 2013 due to the conflict between Kiir and Machar, resulting in significant casualties and unrest. A peace agreement signed in 2018 allowed Machar to return as vice president, but mutual distrust and breaches of ceasefire agreements continue to hinder long-term peace. Both leaders face international pressure, including from the United States, to expedite the implementation of reforms and preparations for the delayed presidential elections, now set for 2026.
In summary, Uganda’s deployment of special forces to South Sudan highlights the fragile state of governance amid rising tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar. The potential for renewed civil war looms as political rivalries and recent violent incidents threaten the fragile peace process established in 2018. Both leaders continue to grapple with internal and external pressures, as the nation strives towards stability and the scheduled elections in 2026.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
