Uganda Sends Special Forces to Juba Amid Growing Tensions in South Sudan

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit arrives for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) 42nd Extraordinary Session, at the State House in Entebbe, Uganda January 18, 2024.

Uganda has reportedly deployed special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to "secure the city," according to Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The move comes amid escalating tensions between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns of a potential return to conflict. However, South Sudan's Information Minister, Michael Makuei, has denied that any Ugandan troops are present in the country.

Kainerugaba confirmed the deployment in a series of social media posts, stating that the Ugandan military had entered Juba two days prior at the request of the South Sudanese government. He also emphasized that Uganda only recognizes President Salva Kiir as the legitimate leader of South Sudan, adding that any attempts to undermine his government would be considered a declaration of war against Uganda.

Uganda’s military spokesperson, Felix Kulayigye, further clarified that the troops were stationed in Juba with the consent of the South Sudanese government. Kulayigye, however, refrained from disclosing the number of soldiers involved or offering a timeline for their deployment, noting that their stay would depend on the evolving situation.

Despite Uganda’s statements, South Sudan’s government has denied the presence of foreign troops in Juba. Information Minister Michael Makuei dismissed the reports, claiming they were false, although he did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

Tensions in South Sudan have been on the rise since last week, when the government detained several ministers and military leaders aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar. The arrests have intensified concerns over the fragile peace deal signed in 2018, which ended a devastating five-year civil war between Kiir and Machar's factions, claiming nearly 400,000 lives.

A spokesperson for Machar, Puok Both Baluang, expressed hope that the deployment of Ugandan forces would not escalate the already tense situation. He confirmed that several of the officials arrested last week had been released, but others, including the petroleum minister and senior military leaders, remain in custody.

This isn’t the first time Uganda has intervened in South Sudan. In 2013, after the civil war broke out, Uganda sent troops to support President Kiir’s forces. The Ugandan military withdrew in 2015, but returned in 2016 when fighting resumed, only to pull out again later.

Uganda’s continued presence in South Sudan, especially in light of its proximity and shared border, is driven by concerns over potential instability and the possibility of a new wave of refugees fleeing to Uganda in the event of full-scale conflict. The Ugandan government is closely monitoring the situation as it develops.