- Uganda deploys special forces to Juba to support President Kiir's government.
- Tensions escalate between Kiir and Vice President Machar, risking renewed civil war.
- U.S. evacuates personnel as U.N. warns of potential collapse of peace agreements.
- 2018 peace deal remains fragile with delayed reforms and elections postponed to 2026.
Uganda has dispatched elite military units to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in a decisive move to stabilize President Salva Kiir’s administration. The deployment, confirmed by Ugandan military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, aims to counter potential rebel advances amid growing friction between Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar. This intervention echoes Uganda’s prior role in South Sudan’s 2013–2018 civil war, where its forces helped repel Machar-aligned rebels.
The resurgence of violence follows clashes in Upper Nile state between government troops and the White Army, a militia linked to Machar. A recent attack on a UN evacuation helicopter, which killed a South Sudanese general, underscores the volatility. Analysts note that delayed unification of the army command—a key component of the 2018 peace deal—has exacerbated distrust. Over 400,000 lives were lost in the previous conflict, and renewed fighting threatens to derail fragile progress.
Regional actors like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have struggled to mediate, while the U.S. and UN urge accelerated reforms. South Sudan’s oil-dependent economy, which contributes 90% of state revenue, remains vulnerable to instability. Comparatively, Rwanda’s involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights how external military support can prolong conflicts, raising concerns about Uganda’s long-term role.
With elections postponed to 2026 and both leaders accused of ceasefire violations, the path to peace remains fraught. International observers stress that without transparent governance and security sector overhauls, South Sudan risks cyclical violence. The world watches as regional diplomacy and global pressure test the limits of a fractured peace process.
