Uganda sends troops to the South Sudan: Is the civil war back?

Uganda sends troops to the South Sudan: Is the civil war back?

The current tensions in South Sudan have led to the shipment of Ugandian troops to ensure security in the capital Juba. This reports Al Jazera . The Ugandian military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed this measure and emphasized that Uganda President Salva Kiir recognized and warns of possible consequences for attacks. However, there were no specific information about the duration of the assignment or the reasons for the support of Kiir.

The situation in South Sudan is tense because in the past few days there have been sporadic fights that could endanger the return of Kiir and his rival Riek Machar. Analysts warn of a possible revival of the civil war, which broke out in 2013. In the northeastern city of Nasir, dozens of soldiers and a general fell in fighting between the South Sudanese army and the White Army Miliz.

historical context

The South Sudan, who gained his independence in 2011 after years of conflict, suffers from a desolate infrastructure and a deep educational deficit. The civil war in Sudan has caused a humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, which affects over 500,000 people who have fled the north. Currently, 50% of the population in southern Sudan acute hunger, which further tightens the already tense situation. The UNHCR predicts that over 4 million people could have been sold by 2024, including 2 million inland refugees.

Within the south sudan, there are still internal conflicts due to unequal distribution of power and ethnic tensions. The 2018 Peace Agreement, which formed the basis for a government based on the principle of power division, was hardly implemented. Although the fights have decreased since 2018, there are still conflict deaths and an increase in suspicion towards the state.

international reactions and peace missions

The United Nations calls on all actors to avoid violence and to solve tensions through dialogue. The international community has strengthened the UN peace mission in South Sudan to protect the civilian population. This mission, Unmiss, was set up in July 2011 after the independence of South Sudan to promote peace and security, but has limited influence in an environment characterized by violence.

The humanitarian aid deliveries are hindered by corruption at the highest level, and the main income of the elite comes from oil production, which is blocked by the civil war in Sudan. Peace negotiations continued, but secret conversations between Kiir and Machar have so far been unsuccessful. The United States and the UN urge the implementation of the reforms of the 2018 peace agreement to create a stable basis for future negotiations.