By Faridah N Kulumba
Africa-Press – Uganda. Authorities in the South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, urged Uganda to stop meddling in the internal affairs of Africa’s youngest nation. This is the second time in just a month President Yoweri Kaguta’s government is requested to vacate South Sudan. In March this year, Dr. Machar, urged the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and regional organization IGAD to address Uganda’s military presence in the nation, cautioning that it may jeopardize the tenuous 2018 peace agreement.
Uganda is accused of causing instability
According to Pal Mai Deng, the SPLM-IO spokesman and Minister of Irrigation, the presence of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) in South Sudan has not only created instability but also committed war atrocities in the country. “Uganda is the cause of the political mess that leads not only to instability in South Sudan but also to war atrocities committed by its own troops and the SPLM (IG)-led forces,” Deng said in a statement extended to Sudan Post on Friday. Deng added that the country Uganda causes what he called a “political mess” in neighbouring South Sudan. “The failure of the effort of the region and the international community to secure the release of the SPLM/A-IO leaders, including H.E. Dr. Riek Machar, and save the R-ARCSS from collapse is brought about by misplacement,” he said. SPLM-IO accused Ugandan political and military leaders of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ongoing political and security situation in the country.
The spark
On 10th March 2025, the Uganda Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba also first son disclosed the deployment of the country’s Special Forces units to Juba amid rising political and security tensions in South Sudan. Uganda’s CDF was among the commanders of the UPDF special military operation to protect Juba in 2013, warning that any move against President Kiir would be considered a declaration of war against Uganda. “We, the UPDF, only recognize ONE President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir. He is our ‘Afande’ even in UPDF because he is the younger brother of Mzee! Any move against him is a declaration of war against Uganda!” said Muhoozi. “All those who commit that crime will learn what it means!” added the former Special Forces commander. But the government of South Sudan denied the deployment of Uganda’s special forces to its capital, Juba. According to South Sudan’s Information Minister Michael Makuei.
What SPLM-IO want
Deng called on the international community to impose sanctions, including an arms embargo, on the government of Uganda for meddling in the internal affairs of South Sudan. He also urged the international community to pressure the Ugandan government to withdraw its troops from South Sudan. “As it has evidently appeared that the arrest of the First Vice President H.E. Dr. Riek Machar had much to say from the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, Uganda must be pressured to release H.E. Dr. Riek Machar and other leaders of the SPLM-IO from the detention cells.”
Machar’s March request
On 23 March 2025, Dr Machar petitioned the UN and AU accusing Uganda of violating international agreements by deploying troops without approval from South Sudan’s transitional government. Machar addressed his letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, AU Peace and Security Council Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, and IGAD chair Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is also the president of Djibouti. He argued that Uganda’s military presence breaches the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS), which requires the withdrawal of foreign forces as outlined in Articles 2.1.5 and 2.1.7, as well as a 2017 ceasefire agreement. “The Ugandan forces are currently taking part in air strikes against civilians in the counties of Nasir, Longechuk, and Ulang in Upper Nile State and Akobo County in Jonglei State,” Machar said.
Why Uganda ended up in South Sudan
The Ugandan troops entered South Sudan at President Salva Kiir’s request after fighting escalated between government forces (SSPDF) and the White Army allied with Machar. The conflict arose from the SSPDF’s plan to redeploy forces in Nasir, a move opposed by the White Army. The situation escalated further with political arrests in Juba and accusations that Machar’s SPLA-IO faction was backing the White Army’s advance. The fighting resulted in civilian casualties, the death of a UN helicopter crew member, and the killing of SSPDF Lt. Gen. David Majur Dak, prompting the South Sudanese government to request Uganda’s military intervention. Uganda, as an IGAD member, helped mediate the ARCSS and R-ARCSS and was key in creating the Security Supervision Mechanism (SSM). So, Uganda’s government is expected to continue ensuring the agreement’s implementation for peace, stability, and democratic elections in South Sudan. Uganda’s intervention echoes its previous military deployments in South Sudan, when President Museveni sent troops to protect Juba in 2013-2014, during the civil war that saw Machar’s forces attempt to overrun the capital. At that time, UPDF was deployed to secure key government installations, including the State House, the army headquarters, and Juba International Airport.
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