Uganda Deploys Troops to South Sudan Amid Rising Civil War Fears

As tensions escalate in South Sudan, Uganda has deployed forces to the region to prevent further instability. Read more on the unfolding crisis.

Uganda has sent an undisclosed number of troops to South Sudan to help safeguard President Salva Kiir’s fragile government, as a tense rivalry with his deputy raises the risk of renewed civil war in the East African country.

Ugandan special forces have been sent to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, “to support the government of South Sudan” in response to a potential rebel advance on the city, according to Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, spokesperson for the Ugandan military.

“We dispatched a force there two days ago,” he stated. “Our presence is not intended for peacekeeping.”

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni dispatched Ugandan soldiers to Juba as a guarantor of the peace process, which maintains Kiir and Machar in a fragile government of national unity. Kulayigye shared this information with The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Kiir and Museveni are allies, with Museveni having previously intervened in the South Sudan conflict to help maintain Kiir’s hold on power.

The deployment of Ugandan troops to South Sudan highlights the escalating tensions in this oil-rich nation, which has faced political instability and violence since its independence from Sudan in 2011.

On Sunday, the U.S. mandated that nonemergency government staff vacate Juba. Meanwhile, the U.N. cautioned about “an alarming regression that could undo years of hard-earned progress” in South Sudan.

The recent tensions arise from clashes in the northern region of the country between government forces and a rebel group known as the White Army, which is widely thought to be aligned with Machar.

Last week, a South Sudanese general was among several individuals killed when a United Nations helicopter, tasked with evacuating government troops from Nasir—a conflict zone in Upper Nile state—came under fire. Earlier that week, following the White Army’s capture of the military garrison in Nasir, government forces encircled Machar’s residence in Juba and arrested several of his associates. Deputy army chief Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam, recognized for his loyalty to Machar, was one of those detained.

Earlier in the year, Kiir upset Machar’s group by dismissing officials perceived as loyal to Machar. This led to Machar accusing Kiir of making “persistent violations through unilateral decisions and decrees,” which he claims endanger the very foundation of their peace agreement.

Following last week’s helicopter incident, Kiir called for calm and assured in a statement that his government “will manage this crisis and stay committed to the path of peace.”

In late 2013, a civil war broke out in South Sudan following escalating tensions between Kiir and Machar that intensified into ethnic conflict. President Kiir, belonging to the Dinka ethnicity, accused soldiers aligned with Vice President Machar of the Nuer group of attempting a violent power grab.

Machar fled Juba, and subsequently, rebels loyal to him nearly captured the city. However, they were driven back by a joint force of South Sudanese soldiers loyal to Kiir and Ugandan special forces.

Over 400,000 individuals lost their lives during the five-year civil war that ensued.

With backing from regional leaders and the international community, Kiir and Machar reached a peace agreement in 2018, allowing Machar to return to Juba as South Sudan’s first vice president.

However, the political rivalry between South Sudan’s top leaders persists as a barrier to enduring peace. Kiir harbors suspicions about his deputy’s ambitions, while Machar accuses Kiir of being dictatorial. Both have faced accusations of violating multiple ceasefires.

Kiir and Machar are facing pressure from the U.S. and other parties to accelerate the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and expedite election preparations.

Challenges include the government’s inability to carry out promised reforms, such as finalizing the unification of army command.

The presidential elections, which have been postponed multiple times, are now set to take place in 2026.