Tensions Surge as Uganda Deploys Troops in South Sudan

Uganda has deployed troops in Juba, South Sudan, amid rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. The deployment follows arrests that threaten a 2018 peace deal. While Uganda's military confirms their presence, South Sudan's government denies it.

In a move that signals escalating tensions, Uganda has deployed its special forces to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to allegedly safeguard the city. This information comes from Uganda's military chief who announced the deployment on Tuesday. However, South Sudan's information minister has denied the presence of Ugandan troops, as the strain between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar raises concerns about a potential return to conflict.

The deployment reportedly arose from a request by the South Sudanese government itself as tensions have mounted in recent days. The detainment of several ministers and senior military officials associated with Vice President Machar by President Kiir's administration has heightened the friction between the two factions. Alarmingly, these events cast doubt on the 2018 peace agreement that ended a brutal five-year civil war, which claimed the lives of nearly 400,000 people.

Ugandan military spokesperson Felix Kulayigye confirmed that troops were sent with South Sudan's consent, but declined to disclose the number of forces involved. Meanwhile, the opposition expressed hope that the deployment wouldn't worsen the situation. This troop movement recalls past interventions by Uganda during South Sudan's civil strife, with fears lingering over potential refugee flows triggering regional instability.

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