Uganda has deployed special forces to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, following escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The deployment aims to bolster the protection of President Kiir’s government amid fears of a resurgence of civil war.

The situation has intensified with the detention of two ministers and several senior military officials allied with Machar, raising concerns about the stability of the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war. Additionally, clashes between government forces and rebel militias, notably in the northeast, have further complicated the security landscape.

Compounding the crisis, an attack on a UN helicopter evacuating South Sudanese soldiers resulted in the deaths of a general, approximately 27 troops, and a UN crew member. The UN has condemned the incident as a potential war crime, highlighting the fragility of the current peace process.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, the U.S. State Department has ordered nonemergency government staff to leave South Sudan, emphasizing the growing international concern over the country’s stability.

The involvement of Ugandan forces, while intended to stabilize the situation, raises questions about regional dynamics and the future of South Sudan’s peace efforts. As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the potential for further conflict and its broader implications for the region.