KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda has taken decisive action by sending an undisclosed number of troops to South Sudan in an effort to support the nation’s delicate government, led by President Salva Kiir. This move is a response to escalating tensions between Kiir and his deputy, which threaten to reignite a civil war in the East African country.
Ugandan special forces have been deployed to the South Sudanese capital, Juba, with the mission of supporting the government amid concerns of a potential rebel assault on the city. According to Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, a spokesperson for the Ugandan military, “We are not there for peacekeeping,” emphasizing their focus on bolstering the government’s defense.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, acting as a guarantor of the peace agreement that maintains the fragile unity between Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, made this strategic decision. Historically, Museveni has supported Kiir, intervening in conflicts to help maintain his leadership. This deployment highlights the increasing tensions in South Sudan, a nation rich in oil but plagued by political instability since its independence from Sudan in 2011.
A recent increase in hostilities has prompted the U.S. to evacuate nonemergency government personnel from Juba, while the United Nations has sounded the alarm over a potential regression that threatens to undo progress achieved in South Sudan. The crux of the ongoing tension can be traced to conflicts in the country’s northern regions, where government forces are clashing with the White Army, a rebel militia reportedly allied with Machar.
In a recent incident, a South Sudanese general was among several casualties when a United Nations helicopter, tasked with evacuating government troops from the embattled town of Nasir in Upper Nile state, came under fire. This followed the White Army’s overtaking of a military garrison in Nasir, after which government forces encircled Machar’s residence in Juba, leading to the arrest of several of his associates, including Deputy Army Chief Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam.
Earlier this year, tensions were further inflamed when Kiir dismissed several officials perceived as Machar loyalists. Machar has asserted that these actions threaten the stability of their peace agreement. Despite these challenges, Kiir has called for calm, assuring that his administration will manage this current crisis while staying committed to the path of peace.
South Sudan was embroiled in civil war starting in late 2013, triggered by an ethnic and political rift between Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and Machar, an ethnic Nuer, who was accused of plotting a coup. The ensuing conflict resulted in devastating casualties, with over 400,000 lives lost before a 2018 peace accord brought some respite, allowing Machar to return to Juba as the first vice president.
The rivalry between Kiir and Machar continues to be a substantial barrier to enduring peace, with mutual suspicions and accusations of dictatorship and ambition undermining trust. Both leaders have faced criticism for failing to adhere to numerous ceasefires. External pressure, especially from the U.S., urges more rapid implementation of the 2018 peace plan and preparation for upcoming elections.
Several issues remain, particularly the government’s slow progress in executing promised reforms, including the integration of military commands. Furthermore, presidential elections, which have been repeatedly delayed, are now slated for 2026, highlighting political uncertainties looming over South Sudan’s future.
