- Uganda has sent troops to Juba to support President Salva Kiir’s government.
- Tensions between Kiir and Machar escalate, risking a return to civil war.
- The U.S. has evacuated personnel, and the U.N. warns of regression in peace efforts.
Uganda’s decision to send special forces to South Sudan highlights the growing instability in the region. The rivalry between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar continues to fuel political tensions, with recent fighting in Upper Nile state further escalating the crisis.
The international community has reacted with concern, as the U.S. has withdrawn nonessential personnel from Juba, and the U.N. has issued warnings of a possible collapse in stability.
South Sudan’s Peace in Peril as Uganda Sends Troops
Uganda’s military deployment in South Sudan signals a deepening crisis as political tensions between Kiir and Machar spiral. The decision to send special forces to Juba underscores President Yoweri Museveni’s longstanding support for Kiir and raises concerns about potential regional escalation. The move is not part of a peacekeeping mission but rather a direct effort to bolster Kiir’s hold on power.
The conflict has reignited in Upper Nile state, where government troops are engaged in heavy clashes with the White Army militia, believed to be allied with Machar. The fighting has led to the killing of a South Sudanese general and a U.N. helicopter being attacked, increasing fears of an all-out civil war. Machar’s political allies have been arrested, and his home in Juba has been surrounded, further escalating tensions.
The U.S. and the U.N. have issued strong warnings, with Washington pulling nonessential staff from Juba. The slow implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and repeated delays in the unification of military forces have left South Sudan politically fragile. Despite Kiir’s calls for calm, his unilateral decisions have fueled accusations of power consolidation and distrust among opposition groups.
With presidential elections set for 2026, the lack of electoral preparedness and continued violence make a peaceful transition unlikely. If Kiir and Machar fail to resolve their political rift, the risk of another devastating civil war remains high. Uganda’s intervention could either stabilize the situation temporarily or intensify the conflict, depending on how both sides respond
The deployment of Ugandan troops in South Sudan is a reminder of how fragile the peace process remains. Without meaningful political dialogue and reform, the country risks sliding back into prolonged conflict.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — George Santayana
