UPDF Confirms Troop Deployment in South Sudan to Support Government

The UPDF has deployed special forces in South Sudan to support President Kiir amid escalating tensions with Riek Machar’s forces. The legal basis for this deployment remains unclear due to the absence of parliamentary approval. The situation threatens the fragile peace established in 2018, following a brutal civil war.

The spokesperson of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) confirmed the recent deployment of special forces in South Sudan to assist President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government. The details surrounding this deployment remain ambiguous, particularly since there has been no public parliamentary authorization in Uganda.

Tensions between the forces loyal to President Kiir and those of First Vice President Riek Machar of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) have escalated significantly in recent weeks. A recent attack by militias aligned with Machar in the town of Nasir, Upper Nile State, resulted in numerous fatalities, including a commander from the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF).

In response to the violence, the South Sudanese government has intensified its crackdown on individuals associated with Machar, leading to the detention of important figures, including the Petroleum Minister and several high-ranking military officials. These actions have renewed concerns regarding the stability of the fragile peace agreement established in 2018, which aimed to stop a devastating five-year civil war.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj, UPDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye stated that the troop deployment is a response to the escalating insecurity in South Sudan. He stressed that the operation is beneficial for both Ugandan and South Sudanese citizens and highlighted the necessity of legal agreements between the two nations to avoid the classification of this deployment as an invasion.

Brig. Gen. Kulayigye also mentioned that although the specifics of numbers involved are confidential, the deployment will continue as long as security threats persist, with withdrawal timelines being evaluated based on the situation. This confirmation of troops follows a declaration by Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on social media, announcing the commencement of Operation ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ to support the SSPDF during the current crisis.

Efforts to obtain comments from the SSPDF’s spokesperson and South Sudan’s Information Minister have not been successful, further highlighting the uncertainty surrounding this military intervention. Historically, Uganda has played a pivotal role in South Sudanese conflicts, notably intervening in 2013 to support Kiir’s government during initial civil war hostilities between Kiir and Machar.

The UPDF’s deployment in South Sudan signifies Uganda’s ongoing involvement in the region’s conflicts amid rising tensions between political factions. The lack of parliamentary authorization raises legal questions regarding this intervention, while the volatile situation poses risks to the fragile peace established since the civil war. Monitoring the developments will be crucial in assessing the long-term implications of Uganda’s military presence.

Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org