President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, at State House in Entebbe on November 4. The meeting aimed to address the ongoing conflict in Sudan, focusing on security concerns and potential solutions ¹. Perriello was accompanied by US Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, and Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare.
Key Discussion Points:
– Security and Conflict Resolution: Museveni and Perriello explored ways to end the conflict in Sudan, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and reconciliation within the country.
– African Union’s Peace and Security Council Communique: The meeting discussed strategies for implementing the communique on Sudan, promoting regional stability and cooperation.
– Museveni’s Role in Mediation: Perriello expressed gratitude for Museveni’s key role in mediating the conflict, acknowledging his guidance and wisdom in the peace process.
Perriello’s visit underscores the international community’s efforts to resolve the Sudanese conflict. Museveni’s involvement highlights Uganda’s significance in regional diplomacy and conflict resolution.
Background
In December 2013, following a political struggle between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar that led to Machar’s removal as vice president, violence erupted between presidential guard soldiers from the two largest ethnic groups in South Sudan. Soldiers from the Dinka ethnic group aligned with Kiir, and those from the Nuer ethnic group supported Machar.
Amid the chaos, Kiir announced that Machar had attempted a coup, and violence spread quickly to Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Unity states.
From the outbreak of conflict, armed groups targeted civilians along ethnic lines, committed rape and sexual violence, destroyed property, looted villages, and recruited children into their ranks.
Despite repeated attempts at peace agreements and cease-fires in 2015, 2017, and 2018, political violence and instability have persisted between government forces and opposition factions in South Sudan.
After nearly five years of civil war, Salva Kiir and Riek Machar—the heads of the two main opposing political coalitions—participated in negotiations in June 2018, resulting in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
The peace deal led to a cease-fire and the formation of a unity government, but implementation of the agreement has been slow, and violence has persisted.
In 2024, additional peacekeepers and urgent forces were deployed to hotspots in South Sudan after an escalation in inter-communal violence led to an increase in civilian deaths, abductions, and displacements.
Meanwhile, South Sudan continues to suffer from one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, magnified by the worsening effects of climate change, macroeconomic shocks, and spillover from the nearby civil war in Sudan.
Long-delayed elections are scheduled for December 2024. However, many fear the country is unprepared to hold free and fair elections and have advocated for their postponement.
