Uganda Deploys Special Forces in South Sudan Amid Rising Tensions

Uganda’s military chief confirmed on Tuesday that the country has deployed special forces in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to “secure it” as escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar heighten fears of a return to civil war.
The situation in South Sudan has become increasingly volatile in recent days, following the detention of two ministers and several senior military officials who are aligned with Machar. These detentions have raised alarm, as they signal a deepening rift between Kiir’s government and Machar’s faction, stoking fears that the country could slide back into the civil war that ravaged South Sudan from 2013 to 2018.
South Sudan, an oil-producing nation, has struggled with political instability and ethnic divisions since its independence from Sudan in 2011. The conflict between Kiir and Machar, along with their respective supporters, was a driving force behind the devastating civil war, which left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
Uganda’s Role in Securing Stability
Uganda’s military involvement in South Sudan is not unprecedented. Uganda has been a key ally of the South Sudanese government, providing military support to Kiir’s administration during the civil war. Uganda’s special forces are now in Juba to help stabilize the capital and prevent further escalation of violence.
The deployment comes at a critical moment, as international organizations and regional powers closely monitor the situation, concerned that any further breakdown in security could lead to widespread violence and destabilize the region. The international community has long pushed for peace and reconciliation in South Sudan, but the country’s internal power struggles remain a major obstacle.
In a sign of some easing of tensions, one of the detained ministers has been released, but fears remain that the ongoing disputes between Kiir and Machar could ignite another conflict. The growing political instability has already strained relations within the country, with both sides accusing each other of undermining the peace agreement signed in 2018, which ended the five-year civil war.
As Uganda continues to support the South Sudanese government in its efforts to maintain control, questions remain about the future of peace in the region. Many experts warn that without true reconciliation and the resolution of the underlying political tensions, South Sudan may face an uncertain path ahead.
A Region on Edge
The developments in South Sudan are being closely watched by neighboring countries and international bodies. South Sudan’s fragile peace, reliant on power-sharing agreements, is at risk of unraveling if political tensions continue to mount. Uganda’s military intervention is seen as a temporary measure to secure Juba, but lasting peace in South Sudan will require significant political dialogue and an end to the deep-rooted divisions between the country’s leadership factions.
With the situation still unfolding, the international community is calling for both President Kiir and Vice President Machar to prioritize peace and work together to ensure that South Sudan does not return to the horrors of civil war.