Uganda deploys special forces to South Sudan amid rising tensions

Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in a move to bolster security as political tensions escalate between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.

Uganda’s military chief announced the deployment on Tuesday, citing the need to “secure” the city amid growing fears of renewed conflict.

Tensions have surged in recent days after Kiir’s government detained two ministers and several senior military officials aligned with Machar’s faction. One of the detained ministers has since been released, but the arrests have intensified concerns of political instability in the oil-rich nation.

South Sudan has struggled with fragile peace since a 2018 agreement ended a five-year civil war that left hundreds of thousands dead. However, ongoing power struggles between Kiir and Machar continue to threaten stability, raising fears of a return to widespread violence.

Uganda has historically played a key role in South Sudan’s security affairs, previously intervening militarily during past conflicts. The latest deployment underscores the region’s anxieties over South Sudan’s fragile political situation and the potential for further unrest.