Uganda’s elite special forces have arrived in Juba, South Sudan, to secure the city and support President Salva Kiir’s government. This deployment is part of Operation “Mlinzi wa Kimya” (Silent Guardian), announced by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations.
The move comes amid escalating tensions between President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, which has raised concerns about the fragile 2018 peace agreement. Uganda has vowed to defend Kiir’s government, with Gen. Kainerugaba warning that any move against the president would be considered a declaration of war against Uganda.
The regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has announced an extraordinary virtual summit on March 12, 2025, to address the crisis. The United States has also ordered the evacuation of non-emergency diplomatic staff from South Sudan due to the escalating violence.
