On Thursday, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni traveled to South Sudan, marking the most significant visit since recent clashes and the house arrest of South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar raised concerns about a potential resurgence of civil war in the region. South Sudanese President Salva Kiir welcomed Museveni at Juba airport. Kiir’s government has accused Machar of inciting rebellion, leading to his confinement.
Museveni, whose troops were deployed to South Sudan last month to stabilize the capital, avoided directly addressing the ongoing crisis during his public statements at the airport. His visit comes on the heels of mediation efforts by the African Union and an East African regional group earlier this week to reduce tensions.
Museveni stated that his discussions with Kiir would focus on improving ties and cooperation between Uganda and South Sudan, while Kiir mentioned they would also cover the country’s current political situation. The tension between Kiir and Machar, former rivals in the 2013-2018 civil war that claimed numerous lives, has prompted the United Nations to caution that South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, risks descending into widespread ethnic conflict.
During the civil war, Uganda supported Kiir’s forces and recently sent troops again amid clashes between South Sudan’s army and an ethnic Nuer militia in Upper Nile state. Although Machar’s largely Nuer forces were once aligned with the White Army militia, his party refutes claims of current ties. Uganda’s military leader, Muhoozi Kainerugaba—Museveni’s son—announced on Tuesday that Ugandan forces would halt attacks on the White Army provided the militia stops targeting Ugandan troops. Machar’s party has criticized Uganda’s military presence as a breach of South Sudan’s arms embargo.
Observers suggest that Kiir, aged 73, is working to solidify his authority amid internal dissent and questions about his succession strategy.
