Ugandan troops deployed to South Sudan amid rising tensions
Ugandan troops have been deployed to South Sudan to safeguard the fragile government of President Salva Kiir as tensions rise and the likelihood of a civil war outbreak increases, reports The Associated Press.
The exact number of Ugandan soldiers sent to Juba, the South Sudanese capital, remains undisclosed.
Major General Felix Kulayigye, a spokesperson for the Ugandan military, confirmed the deployment, stating, “We are not there for peacekeeping.”
The escalating tensions in South Sudan are primarily due to the rivalry between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, threatening to plunge the nation back into civil unrest.
Recent conflicts have erupted between government forces and the White Army, a rebel militia closely associated with Machar.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a senior Ugandan military figure, has expressed unwavering support for President Kiir.
He referred to Kiir as a “brother” and warned that any action against Kiir would be regarded as a declaration of war against Uganda, as reported by the BBC News.
In a post on the social media platform X, Muhoozi further asserted, “We shall protect the entire territory of South Sudan as if it were our own. That is the will of the Commander-in-Chief.”
The presence of Ugandan troops in South Sudan underscores the prevailing instability and growing tensions in the region.
However, both Kiir and Machar remain significant obstacles to achieving lasting peace.
South Sudanese citizens continue to urge both leaders to fully implement the peace agreement, with elections now scheduled for 2026.
The Associated Press.
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