As tensions escalate in South Sudan, Uganda has deployed special forces to secure Juba, the capital, in response to mounting fears that the country may plunge into another civil war.
The Ugandan military chief announced the deployment on Tuesday, confirming that Ugandan troops had entered South Sudan’s capital to maintain security. Clashes between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar have intensified as their power-sharing deal, forged after the last civil war, unravels.
Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s military chief, shared the news on social media, stating that Ugandan Special Forces arrived in Juba to secure the area. Kainerugaba emphasized that Uganda recognizes only President Salva Kiir as the legitimate leader of South Sudan, warning that any attempts to harm Kiir would be seen as an act of war against Uganda.
While the Ugandan military leader did not specify how long the troops would remain in South Sudan or whether Uganda was requested by Kiir for assistance, the deployment reflects Uganda’s growing concern about the escalating situation.
In recent days, sporadic clashes have broken out between the South Sudanese military and armed groups, with fears that Kiir and Machar may revert to conflict. A peace deal signed in 2018 brought an end to a brutal five-year civil war, but the current tensions are raising alarms.
Kiir’s government recently detained two ministers and several senior military officials who were aligned with Machar, sparking further unrest. In Nasir, a northern town, fighting between the South Sudanese army and the White Army militia, which Kiir has linked to Machar, led to numerous deaths, including that of a general and several soldiers.
Despite Kiir’s insistence that he will not allow a return to war, analysts warn that the risk of conflict remains high. The United Nations has called for restraint from all parties and urged the South Sudanese leadership to take immediate action to resolve the situation through dialogue.
Uganda’s deployment is reminiscent of its intervention during the previous civil war, when troops were sent to Juba to support Kiir’s government. While the forces were withdrawn in 2015, Uganda again sent troops in 2016 when fighting reignited.
For Uganda, the potential for a new war in South Sudan is deeply concerning, as it could lead to an influx of refugees and further destabilize the region. Uganda has also recently sent troops into the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where rebel groups backed by Rwanda are engaged in conflict with the Congolese government.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/11/uganda-deploys-troops-in-south-sudan-as-civil-war-fears-grow